Before I started my new job they sent me a letter stating that we get an hour for lunch. But we’re just expected to work through and the others say nobody has ever seen an employment contract. I don’t want to ask too many questions since I might lose my job.
You should receive a written statement of the key terms of your employment within two months of starting work. And under the Working Time Regulations you are entitled to a 20-minute break every six hours. If you were to be sacked for insisting on either of these statutory rights your dismissal would automatically be unfair and you would win compensation. The letter you received also gives you a contractual right to a lunch hour and you could sue if you’re denied it. However the easiest option may be to start looking for a better job.