Breakfast break

[Jaylee]

I know I wouldn’t be entitled to longer breaks. They are normally 2 1/2 hour breaks during the day but that doesn’t suit me so I take them as I stated. I just thought your workplace had to make reasonable adjustment to yr needs as I’m diabetic. I just want to finish my breakfast without racing to eat it. In my 1/2 hour lunch break I struggle to finish my lunch in time. Porridge was suggested to me and I had been taking that for a long time as my lunch but I got fed up with that and can’t eat that now!

Hi Sarah,

It does sound to me like your employer has made compromises on the break structuring in accordance with "reasonable adjustments in the workplace."

Unfortunately we’re not allowed a microwave on the ward where I work. I’m on lantus morning and evening, I don’t take short acting insulin.

I do Lantus as my basal insulin.

I have to admit. Doing a quick (rough) carb count regarding just the yoghurts you have?
You mentioned earlier in another topic you like "Sainsbury’s Taste the difference Madagascan vanilla thick yoghurt."
At two pots looking at the nutritional value, comes in at just under 36grams of carb. (Most of which look like sugars.)

With my basal correct. I would need to bolus for the above.

Lantus is not designed to handle this by itself.. Lantus is technically a "liver dump fixer."

 

[Sarah69]

Hi Sarah,

It does sound to me like your employer has made compromises on the break structuring in accordance with "reasonable adjustments in the workplace."

As regards the break it’s not standard the whole hospital has these breaks it’s individual to the ward. It was always 3 breaks when I started then my ward merged with another ward who had 2 breaks during the day and then the break system was voted on and at that time they voted for 2 so they are not put out by my having 3 breaks. Other wards have 3 breaks and also twice a day they have an extra tiny break for just a cup of tea, ours used to do this but it was stopped because some would have over 20mins just for a quick drink so I don’t think I’m asking for too much.


I do Lantus as my basal insulin.

I have to admit. Doing a quick (rough) carb count regarding just the yoghurts you have?
You mentioned earlier in another topic you like "Sainsbury’s Taste the difference Madagascan vanilla thick yoghurt."
At two pots looking at the nutritional value, comes in at just under 36grams of carb. (Most of which look like sugars.)

With my basal correct. I would need to bolus for the above.

Lantus is not designed to handle this by itself.. Lantus is technically a "liver dump fixer."

 

[KK123]

I know I wouldn’t be entitled to longer breaks. They are normally 2 1/2 hour breaks during the day but that doesn’t suit me so I take them as I stated. I just thought your workplace had to make reasonable adjustment to yr needs as I’m diabetic. I just want to finish my breakfast without racing to eat it. In my 1/2 hour lunch break I struggle to finish my lunch in time. Porridge was suggested to me and I had been taking that for a long time as my lunch but I got fed up with that and can’t eat that now!

Hi there. Firstly, do your Employers have you recorded as having a 'disability' under the Act?, I know type 1s come under it automatically but you too are an insulin user (albeit Lantus only but this still could cause you to go low during the day of course). If you do come under the Act then you are right, they do need to make 'reasonable adjustments' but the question of what is reasonable is subjective to a large extent. You are asking for a longer time to eat your food because of your digestive problems, is this ANYTHING to do with your diabetes? If it is, and if your GP can provide the information to support this, then it is possible that your Employers would at least have to discuss the matter with you. This may consist of adjusting your 9.30 break to a 30 minute one and your lunchbreak to a 15minute one for example. IF you require extra time directly relating to your diabetes, for example you feel like you are going low outside of those breaks and need to do a finger prick test, then yes, they would most likely have to allow you to randomly check during those times.

The problem is that ALL of us would be deemed as taking the you know what if we sat there slowly eating 3 bananas and 2 yogurts whilst our colleagues were getting back to work, any extra time we take usually means less time or extra work for others. Please don't get me wrong, of course we may need extra time to take our insulin before our food (although you don't take bolus) and subsequently extra time to check our glucose levels after but to be honest, this for me means a few extra minutes.

Either way, maybe you could arrange a proper meeting with HR and get it all written down, that way it doesn't become a battle every time you have your break. I think most of us have found that there really is a balance between what we may feel we are entitled to and the reality of what we're likely to get. I would say it really is give & take at work and you wanting to 'take your time' to eat would really annoy me as a Manager too, UNLESS there is a medical reason associated with your diabetes in which case get it all recorded.

 

[Sarah69]

Hi there. Firstly, do your Employers have you recorded as having a 'disability' under the Act?, I know type 1s come under it automatically but you too are an insulin user (albeit Lantus only but this still could cause you to go low during the day of course). If you do come under the Act then you are right, they do need to make 'reasonable adjustments' but the question of what is reasonable is subjective to a large extent. You are asking for a longer time to eat your food because of your digestive problems, is this ANYTHING to do with your diabetes? If it is, and if your GP can provide the information to support this, then it is possible that your Employers would at least have to discuss the matter with you. This may consist of adjusting your 9.30 break to a 30 minute one and your lunchbreak to a 15minute one for example. IF you require extra time directly relating to your diabetes, for example you feel like you are going low outside of those breaks and need to do a finger prick test, then yes, they would most likely have to allow you to randomly check during those times.

The problem is that ALL of us would be deemed as taking the you know what if we sat there slowly eating 3 bananas and 2 yogurts whilst our colleagues were getting back to work, any extra time we take usually means less time or extra work for others. Please don't get me wrong, of course we may need extra time to take our insulin before our food (although you don't take bolus) and subsequently extra time to check our glucose levels after but to be honest, this for me means a few extra minutes.

Either way, maybe you could arrange a proper meeting with HR and get it all written down, that way it doesn't become a battle every time you have your break. I think most of us have found that there really is a balance between what we may feel we are entitled to and the reality of what we're likely to get. I would say it really is give & take at work and you wanting to 'take your time' to eat would really annoy me as a Manager too, UNLESS there is a medical reason associated with your diabetes in which case get it all recorded.

They know I’m diabetic but I don’t know if they have it written down anywhere. I’m only like asking for a minimum of 5 mins, I don’t take my time eating, I just eat normally and it takes me over 15min. If I swapped my breaks around to 1/2 an hour 1st break, I’d only have 15mins for my lunch then I wouldn’t be able to finish my lunch as I wouldn’t have enough time! Although I have 1/2 an hour now I’m literally eating for that whole time. I don’t talk to anyone as I’m the only one having these breaks. I just find it a nightmare sometimes, when I do eat quick I get hiccups, indigestion and I end up feeling sick.

 

[Jaylee]

They know I’m diabetic but I don’t know if they have it written down anywhere. I’m only like asking for a minimum of 5 mins, I don’t take my time eating, I just eat normally and it takes me over 15min. If I swapped my breaks around to 1/2 an hour 1st break, I’d only have 15mins for my lunch then I wouldn’t be able to finish my lunch as I wouldn’t have enough time! Although I have 1/2 an hour now I’m literally eating for that whole time. I don’t talk to anyone as I’m the only one having these breaks. I just find it a nightmare sometimes, when I do eat quick I get hiccups, indigestion and I end up feeling sick.

Hi,

In suppose you could try negotiating adding five minutes extra to your morning break deducted from the afternoon tea break. Making it a 20/30/10 spilt?

 

[KK123]

They know I’m diabetic but I don’t know if they have it written down anywhere. I’m only like asking for a minimum of 5 mins, I don’t take my time eating, I just eat normally and it takes me over 15min. If I swapped my breaks around to 1/2 an hour 1st break, I’d only have 15mins for my lunch then I wouldn’t be able to finish my lunch as I wouldn’t have enough time! Although I have 1/2 an hour now I’m literally eating for that whole time. I don’t talk to anyone as I’m the only one having these breaks. I just find it a nightmare sometimes, when I do eat quick I get hiccups, indigestion and I end up feeling sick.

Hi there, well you should check with them regarding whether they have you down as being 'disabled' for all sorts of reasons. Could you eat one less banana, would that help? I really think you are on a hiding to nothing by trying to explain that you require an extra five minutes to be honest. You say you eat 'normally' but if that was the case, others would also be complaining about the breaks being too short. Personally I would not be making an issue of this, even as a diabetic because it does seem to be trivial in the grand scheme of things and there are things you could adjust yourself to combat it.

 

[Providence 62]

Are you a union member? Your representative should be able to help with any representation to HR.

 

[Mr_Pot]

I expect most people faced with this problem would eat less or eat faster, maybe use a bigger spoon for the yoghurt. I expect a break at 9:30 is designed for tea and biscuits rather than breakfast. Why not have a snack before you leave home, say a cereal bar, and cut down on what you eat at 9:30? Diabetics might be entitled to extra time for testing or injecting but not to slowly eat a particularly large breakfast.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi there, well you should check with them regarding whether they have you down as being 'disabled' for all sorts of reasons. Could you eat one less banana, would that help? I really think you are on a hiding to nothing by trying to explain that you require an extra five minutes to be honest. You say you eat 'normally' but if that was the case, others would also be complaining about the breaks being too short. Personally I would not be making an issue of this, even as a diabetic because it does seem to be trivial in the grand scheme of things and there are things you could adjust yourself to combat it.

Hi,

I've worked a lot of places with different break structures. (Over the years.)
In the engineering company I was at. They alow a couple of minutes prior "wash up time." To be fair. A little short to pre bolus. But it is OK to jab 20 minutes prior to everyone Downing tools for the break. It a good idea to check BGs anyway when handling something like a grinder.
I'm currently working with two other guys for a landscaping company. Technically, we don't stop? (Legally we are entitled to.)
But there is wiggle room, so we kinda do have breaks..Now the gaffer has a step son who is T1. Lol, to be fair if he thinks I haven't eaten he ask if I want to grab something. "Nah, I'm OK for the minute. Let's get these sleepers in.." (Complete the project, clear up. then stop.)
Customers are quite often throwing beverages & food at us too.

It's all about fitting it in with contractual obligations & team playing with others doing the same.
Plan ahead. I've noticed over the years, we all tend to get peckish about the same time on a day's graft.

 

[Sarah69]

I expect most people faced with this problem would eat less or eat faster, maybe use a bigger spoon for the yoghurt. I expect a break at 9:30 is designed for tea and biscuits rather than breakfast. Why not have a snack before you leave home, say a cereal bar, and cut down on what you eat at 9:30? Diabetics might be entitled to extra time for testing or injecting but not to slowly eat a particularly large breakfast.

My break is for my breakfast and they know that, other people whose breaks start at 10.00 have they’re breakfast then.

 

[Sarah69]

Hi there, well you should check with them regarding whether they have you down as being 'disabled' for all sorts of reasons. Could you eat one less banana, would that help? I really think you are on a hiding to nothing by trying to explain that you require an extra five minutes to be honest. You say you eat 'normally' but if that was the case, others would also be complaining about the breaks being too short. Personally I would not be making an issue of this, even as a diabetic because it does seem to be trivial in the grand scheme of things and there are things you could adjust yourself to combat it.

I haven’t asked for any extra time I just wondered if this would be possible. Others won’t complain about eating slowly as they have 1/2 an hour for theirs

 

[Sarah69]

I expect most people faced with this problem would eat less or eat faster, maybe use a bigger spoon for the yoghurt. I expect a break at 9:30 is designed for tea and biscuits rather than breakfast. Why not have a snack before you leave home, say a cereal bar, and cut down on what you eat at 9:30? Diabetics might be entitled to extra time for testing or injecting but not to slowly eat a particularly large breakfast.

I don’t eat slowly I eat normally and I don’t think I eat a ‘large’ breakfast!

 

[Mr_Pot]

I don’t eat slowly I eat normally and I don’t think I eat a ‘large’ breakfast!

Who eats 3 bananas!

 

[Jaylee]

I haven’t asked for any extra time I just wondered if this would be possible. Others won’t complain about eating slowly as they have 1/2 an hour for theirs

Hi,

Do your colleagues structure two 0.5hour breaks during a 12.5 hour shift?

If so, would that work for you?

 

[kvetiny]

You do well to work long days in the hospital. I only work short shifts in the day time. Wouldn't be able to cope with a long day in a fast paced environment. I have the usual 30 min break on the 8 hr shift. Always guaranteed 1st break being diabetic. It's usual for me to disappear and sit down for 10 mins to eat if my sugars are drop too low.

 

[Sarah69]

Hi,

Do your colleagues structure two 0.5hour breaks during a 12.5 hour shift?

If so, would that work for you?

Yes they have 2 x 30mins break, I’ve tried that and it didn’t suit me so I’ve stuck to what I have.

 

[Sarah69]

Who eats 3 bananas!

Sorty I don’t even see that as a lot, they’re not great huge bananas!

 

[Jaylee]

Yes they have 2 x 30mins break, I’ve tried that and it didn’t suit me so I’ve stuck to what I have.

Hi,

Would this structure timing not allow you an extra 15 minutes to consume your breakfast & thus not cause insue with your employer & collegues?

 

[KK123]

Yes they have 2 x 30mins break, I’ve tried that and it didn’t suit me so I’ve stuck to what I have.

Hi Sarah, well you've had lots of suggestions but if you feel they won't work or are not worth doing then maybe confront the issue head on, arrange an HR/Line Manager appointment and discuss the whole thing. Make sure you have medical 'evidence' as this definitely helps. Many people do not have HR depts so you are lucky in that respect. At least that way you will know how far they are prepared to go and it will all be recorded and prevent the same issue arising every time you have your break. Good luck. x

 

[kvetiny]

It be worth seeing ur occupational health team about this.