Homeowner refuses to give construction crew lunch break. Is she required? Attorney Ugo Lord reacts

[ikiwheese]

As an independent contractor, I would tell you "I get paid by the job, not the hour." Piss off.

[clanman]

Hes just eating lunch. This lady is ridiculous. I would just quit the job at that point

[Rakso_F]

I don't understand how you can't have empathy towards the workers.

[RyukSan_]

From my experience in working in retail then moving into hospitality, you want the people who are working for you full and hydrated and happy.

[SiriusXAim]

This is shot in the UK. Law states that workers are legally entitled to a 20 minute break for every 6 hours worked. Since the day is 8 hours and those men are employees of the construction company, she has no authority to deny them a break. She is a customer, not thir boss.

This also applies to independent contractors. They are basically a one man LLC and the law (Working Time Regulations of 1998) still applies.

[Krissco]

As an independent contractor, you agree to the "what" of the job, not the "how" and set your own hours (within contract) / provide your own tools, etc.

[BTNOfficial]

Yes, she does not have to. But contractors ARE allowed to set their own breaks based on the work schedule and progress. So again, she’s in the wrong.

[blablablabla]

Whenever my dad hires anyone for housework or moving, he always offers them drinks and lunch (water, soda, pizza, subs). It's just common courtesy, and it can also (sometimes) motivate the workers to do their best!

[leerylapine]

There's a frustrating dissociation with common people and workers these days. I understand there's always been companies that treated their workers like numbers, but now even the 25 year old single mom is talking to HUMAN BEINGS like they're just machines.

[ChoccolateQueen]

Back in my country we cooked extra food whenever we had workers. We bought bread and made them tea for breakfast and they ate lunch with us. I can't believe the man isn't even allowed to have a break.

[metalmonkey]

I do HVAC and we don't have set breaks or lunch as far as my boss is concerned and has said to every new guy "You're a f**king adult.... if your hungry, eat something, if you're tired, take a break, I honestly don't give a s**t what you need to do to get through the day as long as the work gets done"
As far as this Karen goes she'd be looking for a new contractor.

[jimmiedmc]

Ive worked for people like this lol while on contract jobs we pack up and go to a different job for the day thenretern the next when she came to complain about us leaving the job we left again,
Our copany has a zero tolerance policy for abuse and its in the contract every delay was her own fault it toke 4 days of this...

[duffy]

Sure doesn't have to give them a break. They don't have to work as long as it's finished in the hours of the contract. And if not tough bacon cry more lady

[Dark_Kevlarian]

Or in simple terms: she IS NOT their boss in any way. Period.

She is the site owner. She conducts WHERE the work is to be done, not HOW it's done.

If the contract is not upheld by either side, a lawsuit can follow. Otherwise, they have very little overlap.

[RealPortgasDAce]

Think she is confused in which time period she's in.

[skotnica]

Technically if they told her they'd be done in 3 days, they could start on the first, take a break until the 3rd and as long as they complete the job, they'd still be entitled to what was agreed upon.

[irish....]

You are right except for the labor laws that state that during so many hours of work you are required to take a set 20 and 30 minute
Not to mention to ask anybody to work all day without taking a break for food or just a break in general is cruel and I don't think that lady can do that herself let alone doing a man's job without a break

[planetmezo]

She is not their boss, its not up to her when they take a break. She doesnt pay them, they are payed by the company they work for whom she is contracted with.

[Embarassmental]

I got guys cutting my trees down at my house this week. Today i got them chick fil a and told them its too close to Christmas to be working too hard. Lol

[shaunburns]

She’s not providing anything in the uk. They are legally allowed to take a break. And as long as the job is completed by the standards in the contract she can do one