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I’ve rewritten this question several times as I’m having trouble phrasing it and will try to keep it short and to the point.

I recently started working as an auxiliary employee at a chain of government liquor stores. The normal person who trains people was on holiday and I’ve been told I wasn’t trained correctly.

One problem is I’ve been missing breaks. I know now that there is a schedule with each person's allotted break times. (I know this sounds silly but bear with me). Being auxiliary I work at several locations. I now know that the break schedule is always written on a document that is stored in the customer service area. But there’s a ton of paper work in this area (and the area is big with several desks) and I don’t think it's a good idea to rummage through the documents on the desk until I find the break schedule each day. If the break schedule was always kept in a certain spot or was one of the few pieces of paper in the area that would be different situation, but it’s not. I’m having trouble phrasing the question: what exactly should I ask? Should I say to the manager: “Am I correct in my understanding that the break schedule is always kept in the customer service area? Since there’s a lot of paper there, how am I supposed to find it?”

Also, it seems I only get one 15-minute break over a six-hour shift. How do I confirm this is true? So far they’ve been keeping me at the cash register the whole time and there’s always a line up so I’ve worked for 5 hours straight with no break, not even a small one (I know in most jobs there are intermittent opportunities for small downtown, like a program opening on a computer). I was thinking of asking the manager: “Is the expectation for me to work at the till with no breaks except for the scheduled one? What If I need to go to the bathroom or something?” I need more breaks than I've been getting.

Since I’m at different locations I often work with the different people and managers (in fact a single location often has several managers). It’s been extremely busy and I noticed I often finish my shifts without having the chance to speak with any of my coworkers. In my past jobs we usually decide for ourselves when to take our break so this is very different.

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    One of your colleagues probably knows where the paper is. Come 3 min earlier than usual, ask them "Hey Bob, do you know where the paper is exactly ?". If this isn't enough, you should follow Joe Strazzere's advice.
    – Thalantas
    Dec 26, 2016 at 10:18
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    There is no way of us knowing how much break time your get at this point. The minimum you're legally allowed is based on jurisdiction, and company policy might allow you more. In some places the employer is required to hang a poster with the laws regarding breaks. Look around your workplace for one. If you're still not sure you can try asking about the laws and regulations in your jurisdiction on law.stackexchange.com but you'll need to let them know where you work.
    – Sean
    Dec 27, 2016 at 16:39
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    We need a country tag, what locale are you in?
    – user30031
    Dec 30, 2016 at 22:59
  • Judging from earlier questions, this user is in Canada.
    – Nzall
    Aug 3, 2023 at 11:35

2 Answers 2

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I’m having trouble phrasing the question, what exactly should I ask?

This isn't difficult.

When you enter the building, go up to your manager and say "Hi boss, how are you doing? Hey, what time is my break scheduled for today?"

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    Did you read the full question? The break schedule is written down but it seems to always be in a different location.
    – GomesB
    Dec 25, 2016 at 23:12
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    @GomesB: Joe Strazzere knows the art of asking questions in the right way to influence people to do what you want. "Can I have my break" allows to answer "Yes" or "No", and a manipulative manager will answer "No". Asking "what time is my break scheduled" means the possibility of no break isn't even considered.
    – gnasher729
    Dec 26, 2016 at 10:14
  • Why am I unable to ask another question on this site?
    – GomesB
    Dec 28, 2016 at 23:12
  • It says "You have reached your question limit" when I click on the "ask question" button, but this is the only question I've asked.
    – GomesB
    Dec 29, 2016 at 17:08
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    "Asking "what time is my break scheduled" means the possibility of no break isn't even considered." "Hey, what time is my break today?" "You don't get a break today." Seems like its easy enough to still be told you don't get a break.
    – Andy
    Oct 2, 2017 at 21:57
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I doubt that the breaks document is just on a random desk in the customer service area, especially if you still work in Canada (which you were in previous questions). In Canada, the law says that you need to get an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes for every period of 5 consecutive hours that you work. And if you're required to be on call during that break, you must be paid for that break.

Is there a bulletin board in your customer service area? As in a large piece of cork of whiteboard mounted to the wall that's usually full of documents. Generally speaking that's where official notices like this are usually posted.

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