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Actually I think you'll find that your contracted hours don't necessarily include tea-breaks - I thought it was at the discretion of your employer or manager something like that and not laid down in stone as an entitlement......check it out.

Incidentally I'm certain that, despite being one of the relatively few EBME departments to change bleep speakers, fit batteries the right way around, replace battery doors, cases, etc, you're not the only person to have irregular breaks - myself and colleagues of mine tend to start work early, don't always have regular breaks and when we do they're flexible - which, personally speaking, gives me an opportunity to post in "my own time".

Usually to share knowledge, advice or useful information on medical devices, etc - if you look at the majority of my posts they're in my own time, i.e. after work. Don't see much about the repair of telecoms on this site though. I see that when the argument's lost the typical tactic of ridiculing individuals is always a safe bet. Quite amusing when the "right buttons" are pressed though.

I try not to be spiteful when I lose an argument and never take it personally - my way of working is just to up the ante and wind people like you up more and more to get a response like your previous post actually. I've given my views on Telecoms and to answer the initial question no we don't touch telcoms equipment.

Rest Breaks
27.15 Where the working day is longer than six hours, all staff are entitled to take a break of at least 20 minutes. Rest breaks must be taken during the period of work and should not be taken either at the start or the end of a period of working time. Employees should be able to take this rest break away from their work station. In exceptional circumstances and by agreement with the worker, where a rest break cannot be taken the unused entitlement should be claimed as a period of equivalent compensatory rest. Line managers should ensure that provision is made to allow compensatory rest to be taken. Existing local arrangements which already provide for breaks of more than 20 minutes (e.g. lunch breaks) will meet the requirements of this provision and no further action will be needed.

Cheers
Mark

This is what I was getting at..........morning and afternoon rest breaks, i.e. tea-breaks, don't necessarily have to be given if a break for lunch is provided - as far as I've always interpreted it, anyhow. Anything additional to the 20 minutes lunch break, minimum, is discretionary and not obligatory.

As I said:

Hi All,

Our set up at North Middx. Hospital is now called the Medical Equipment Management Unit, incorporating EBME. (We used to come under Medical Physics a few years ago but all that changed under a new Head of Medical Physics who wasn't interested in our line of work.)
However, the clue to what we repair is in our name. In general, we only repair Medical Equipment i.e. equipment associated with patients. Although, from time-to-time we may have a quick look at other equipment as a favour e.g. I've looked at problems with two-way radio system for the porters as requested by my manager etc. It's normally only a quick look to see if there's a simple fault, blown fuse, broken connection that type of thing. Mind you, some of the hospital Ward Clerks must think that we do everything.
The other day I answered a phone call:
Q. "is that Medical Physics?"
A. "No, Medical Equipment Management Unit, is it Medical Physics that you want?"
Q. "I don't know but I was given your number - we need more toilet paper in the ladies toilet!" A. "that's not us - we repair medical equipment! You need the cleaning company"
Q. "Are you sure, I was definatly given your number?"
A. " You've been given the wrong number!!!!"
This isn't a wind up. It's absolutly true. I wish I could of recorded it. (Geoff knows the idiots we've got working in our hospital).
So beware, we will be changing the bog paper next!

We all know how much you enjoy answering the phone, Ian.

But Geoff I now only answer the phone when our answering service (Mr T.T. the workshop supervisor)) isn't around moreover, I'm polite at all times, as you well know. By the way, are you still known as Mr Sheen?

Sadly, Ian, other names are used these days, more often than not. I don’t think I know your Mr. T, do I (not the A-Team guy, I suppose)? And yes, your politeness is well-known, and much admired, throughout the boroughs of North East London. Cheers, Geoff.

Hi Geoff,

Mr T.T. is my nickname for our workshop supervisor for whom you were involved at the interview stage. This guy has a problem when he talks to people face-to-face in that he's always T ouching his T od**r (to check that it's still there?)
I don't believe that he realises what he his doing. It's some sort of nervous reaction due to his very poor interpersonal skills! Hence, the nickname Mr T.T. - OK.

Must be a military thing - all that standing to attention...are you dressed correctly.

Means nothing to me. I was in the merchant navy.

No, it doesn't suit me!

Cheers
Mark

Hey Ian, was this affliction apparent before the poor guy tried to sort you lot out, I wonder? Sounds to me like “Mr. T.T.” needs a bit of TLC (...is there much of that there these days?). But have you considered that he could just be signalling that he’s “pleased to see you”, as it were?

I don’t think the guy in question is an ex-military type, Mark (...part of the problem, really). But there again, I don’t know why I should feel sorry for him, (unlike me) he’s drawing a salary after all.