Our previous manager genuinely did not mind what we did with our breaks, and neither did the one before him. However, the new manager has started dictating exactly when we must take our breaks, which has annoyed roughly half the shop.
Previously, some colleagues would take one break at the start of the night shift (for example, 12:00–12:45 or 01:00–01:45) and save their second 45-minute break to leave early at 06:15, while still receiving their full 7.5 hours’ pay. As long as all the work was completed and the aisle was properly cleaned, no one had any issues with this arrangement.
Since the management changed (our previous manager moved to a different store), the new manager has begun restricting when people can take breaks. For instance, not allowing them when the fresh trailer arrives, and has said that colleagues cannot leave early. If any break time remains at the end of the shift, they must sit in the colleague break room until 07:00.
What I really want to know is: are there any actual rules regarding break times for staff?