Employee sensationally quits his job after boss imposes 'illegal' lunch rule

24 January 2024 , 19:29

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A worker was stunned when they were told they were not allowed a lunch break during a tough day at the office (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A furious employee quit his job after a boss tried to impose an "illegal" and "unreasonable" lunch break rule.

On a particularly tough work morning, many of us look forward to tucking into the lunch we have brought for that day. While a 2023 study found that 46% of Brits find their lunchbreaks "boring", 58% wished they knew how to make better use of the time. But, imagine being stripped of your one workday break altogether.

Entrepreneur Ben Askins, who is known for "calling out b*******" companies" on social media and champions younger generations in the workplace, shared an anonymous submission from an office worker who was banned from taking a break. The employee went out of his lunch following a "shattering" morning at work, but was stunned when his employee sent him a barrage of texts telling him he needed to return to his work immediately.

The manager sent a message to the employee asking where he was an insisted he returned to "immediately", adding "it's not up for debate". When the worker explained he was out getting lunch his boss told him everything was "not OK" in the office and said: "I told you how busy we were today, I need you back here."

Confused by the messages, the employee said: "You what? As in we are not allowed a lunch break?" He tried to explain that he was entitled to a lunch break and it would in face be illegal if he were refused one.

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But, his boss said: "'No, that isn't true. Besides, it doesn't matter, do you know how busy we are at the moment?'

He explained: "Of course I do, I have been working all morning and I am shattered. It is why I need a lunch break." " 'I am telling you that you need to come back now, this isn't up for debate," the manager finally commented.

But the stunned employee was not going to tolerate the company's unusual rules, and claimed he "doesn't need this". He added: "I killed myself this morning for you and the company, I am taking this. I quit."

Commenting on work break laws in the UK, the government states: "Workers have the right to one uninterrupted 20 minute rest break during their working day, if they work more than 6 hours a day. This could be a tea or lunch break."

Commenting on the situation, Ben Askins said: "I mean, let's be clear, he [the manager] doesn't get to decide that. You have to have a lunchbreak by law so I don't know what the hell this guy's playing at. Come on, you've got to be better than this."

He continued: "The company, they're obviously stacked. I love it that it's never occurred for them to get additional staff. It's not fair on the team and it's a dumb decision."

After a clip of the dilemma was shared on Instagram, a number of people rushed to share their thoughts. One individual said: "Bosses like that definitely were slave overseers in their previous lives."

Another added: "No need to quit. Take your lunch, return to work and see what they do. They'd do nothing because you can't sack someone for this."

But some agreed with the boss; one individual said: "I agree with the boss - sometimes you've just got to be a team player,' one said. Another wrote: "The boss is handling this poorly but there are situations where there are urgent needs of the company."

Do you agree? Share your thoughts in the comments below.