Members have raised concerns about this memo from HealthShare management.

While it is correct that under the Award you have defined breaks, there are valid work health and safety reasons to take extra breaks.

If you have been required to undertake duties that are particularly demanding physically or psychologically, or have been required to work in high temperatures, you are able to take a break to help prevent injury.

It is up to your employer to let you know the process for taking extra WHS breaks.

Your HSU Organiser is now seeking a meeting with the MLHD Work Health and Safety team to clarify how workers can take these kinds of breaks.

In the meantime, workers should notify their line management if they need a break due to Work Health and Safety reasons.

If your employer refuses to allow you to take a break to prevent injury due to duties that are demanding physically or psychologically, or have been required to work in high temperatures, please contact your HSU Organiser Sam Oram on 0488 133 953 or [E-Mail not displayed].

If you have received correspondence about breaks that HealthShare considers unauthorised, please also contact your Organiser via the contact details above.

Do you know someone who isn’t an HSU member? Encourage them to join our Union today and have a say at work. We are always stronger when we stand together.

New members can join at www.hsu.asn.au/join or call 1300 478 679.