Honest Burgers in talks with staff over the scrapping of paid breaks

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Independent burger chain Honest Burgers is in talks with its staff about scrapping paid breaks. According to reports, the paying of staff during breaks, a move that was introduced after lockdown to raise wages, has cost the company £600,000 per year over its 45 restaurants in the UK.

It now says that due to rising costs in the hospitality sector, plus the upcoming increase of the minimum wage, that the benefit has now become too expensive.

An internal document seen by the Evening Standard reportedly said that the introduction of paid breaks was 'frankly a mistake'.

Currently, while employees are entitled to breaks during work shifts, whether they’re paid during those breaks depends on their employer and their contract. Read more: First look at anticipated new restaurant Higher Ground However, it also said that it will increase wages among staff members to make up for the shortfall, a move it says has been ‘broadly well received’.