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I work for a smallish (8 staff members, 3 podiatrists) practice in the US. Currently, our staff takes a "working lunch" where they munch while they work and do not take a non-paid break. They do have the option to take a break, but almost none of the staff do, unless they have to run a short errand. We also continue to answer the phone even though on full days we have an hour lunch break in the patient schedule....

Finally my question....I would like to hear what other practices do and how you handle a lunch break. Do you put the phones on service? Do your employees have a real hour/half-hour break? Are they paid during this time or not?

Thanks in advance!

Lpod3000

....I would like to hear what other practices do and how you handle a lunch break. Do you put the phones on service? Do your employees have a real hour/half-hour break? Are they paid during this time or not?

The answer revolves around "conditions apply."

These things are dependent upon your work place agreement and it is always worthwhile revisiting the small print.

In a politically correct world you should factor in a lunch break (away from the workplace and telephones etc.) As part of duty of care your employer should provided a suitable environment and appropriate recreational encouragements. This may include at the very least an answering machine.
Lunch under these circumstances would be on unpaid time.

Most employees work to earn and the sooner they can leave the workplace the better. Many are happy to give up luxuries (some may argue essentials) like a lunch break) to finish work earlier. Employers are well aware of this and it is not uncommon to be paid by the hours you work.

Backache is a chronic problem for podiatrists and work days lost through back related pain is all too real. As duty of care, employers should seriously consider promoting recreation during work time to reduce this liability. However not many do.

toeslayer

With a staff of 8, staggering breaks should be easy. With a dedicated break, the time is theirs to do with as they please. By allowing them to get their head out of the practice, they will come back with better vision, concentraion, and not go through the hypoglycaemic blues in the afternoon.
We make sure each person has 'time-out' for these reasons

Thanks, I definitely see the benefits of having a "time-out" for each employee...my current problem is that they don't want it! They would like to continue to take breaks, chat, make personal phones calls and run errands throughout the day...sometimes without signing out. Then they resist the idea that I would like everyone to have a dedicated non-paid lunch break. To me, the solution seems to be to crack down on work time being used for personal issues, and offer a non-paid half-hour break at a specific time if the employees wish to use it. But the doctors seem to be very curious as to what other practices actually *do*, regardless of the theory behind it.

Hi Lpod:
The problem (if there really is one) is trying to change your employees routine that they are use to and that they apparently like. As long as they are not taking advantage of their "freedom" and you are happy with the work ethic, I say don't disturb the ship.
You can't say enough about having a happy staff. I've had it both ways and I'll take HAPPY and PRODUCTIVE over BITCHY and LAZY any day.

Steve

Hi to all taking part in this this "to lunch or not to lunch"

I currently employ 1 other Podiatrist and 2 Receptionists in my Practice. They all get a paid 1 hour lunch break and the telephone goes on to ansaphone. I have a happy and motivated staff and never have the feeling that I will be facing a crisis when I walk through the door. I agree with happy and productive Steve, I just need to sort out my lunch hour and practice what I preach! We work in a beautiful NE England historic market town with a castle, river and French Chateaux museum and al this is only a stride away.
Lesley