The CWU is asking all Branches in BT’s business sales department to identify problems with the scheduling of lunch breaks at inappropriate times within a duty period.

The issue came to light when some members in Glasgow had their lunch breaks scheduled 2 hours after starting a full-day duty. We do not believe that such practice is in the interest of the business let alone our members.

The union says that it’s members exposed to this practice have experienced high levels of fatigue and under these circumstances, mistakes become more likely.

Local managers are claiming that the issue is outside of their control because it is BT’s Resource Team that schedules lunch breaks. Under health and safety law the employer has a duty of care towards its employees and that includes line managers.

The union has made it clear that it does not accept the excuse form mamangers that it is not their responsibility to ensure the staff under their control are given appropriate and timely lunch breaks.

The CWU has raised the issue with BT management, who as per usual require the union to provide evidence of this activity instead of investigating this practice within their resourcing teams themselves.

Accordingly, CWU Assistant Secretary Allan Eldred has asked all the Union’s Branches to provide examples of this practice by the 31st July 2015.

Source: CWU LTB473/15