wages and overtime payment?

Question

As a resident of the UK,could anyone tell me if it is legal for my employer to offer a guarantee of "X" amount of hours payment per day, then  take a legally required break period off my wages, thus reducing the actual amount of hours they guarantee.
Not only that but should I not work the hours guaranteed on any given day they will take the "missing" hours from any overtime worked on another day  to pay back the hours I didn't work.
Surely this does not constitute a "Guarantee"
Thanks in advance

? · Answer

If for example your working hours are 9-5pm, that is a 7 hour working day
as most would ask you to take a 1 hour lunch break
So you are paid for 7 hours, not 8
A lunch break is rarely paid by employers

! · Answer

If they guarantee a particular number of hours of work, that means 'paid hours', so they can't say they have given you x hours work if one hour is an unpaid break.

Whether they can 'claw back' from overtime worked on other days depends entirely on your terms of employment. Read them - and if you don't have any, this is why you need some!

Tavy · Answer

The break system in the UK is compulsory. If a Contract states 8 hours a day, this is always reduced to 7 for payment as employers have to give a break. This is standard practice and always has been.  You are still employed during that break period. 
Methinks you are splitting hairs here.
UK

Pauline · Answer

It means that you have guaranteed set income regardless of whether you are required to work that day/week or not. 
Annualised hours contracts work in a similar way.

The real issue is whether you have the flexibility to work additional hours as required.

Scott Arden · Answer

Some good but somewhat conflicting answers, thanks all I will have to do a little more research.

wages and overtime payment?

5 Answers