Can employers make you work 6+ hours without lunch? especially if there's no lunchroom (i.e. place to get food) onsite?
my employees are none too pleased that management is letting us go "early" which for us that come in at 7:30 a.m. amounts to only one hour (since they are not permitting us to take lunch) while others stroll in 2+ hours later and are getting paid for a full-day as well.
i'm old school (i.e. a worker who knows that life is not fair) but some of my employees have been whining to me since i got in. and i was wondering if what management is doing is not only unfair but possibly illegal.
Quit your bitchin' and eat a pop tart.
I just sent them an email. According to them, viewing photos of birthday cakes, zucchinis and other assorted photos of food on this site counts as your "lunch." They thank you for your inquiry.
I'd like to find out too. I thought a company was not forced to give lunch brakes.
Click on my profile and watch Chita Rivera "Put On A Happy Face"
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/18/04
I thought it was something along the lines of six hours = at least a 1/2 hour break. I'm not sure, but the law may depend on the size of the company and the amount of employees.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Check with your state labor department. Here is a link to a handy cahrt that might tell you what you need!
For example, Illinois requires at least a 20 mintue lunch break after 6 hours....
A Handy Chart
"An employee who works a shift of more than six hours which extends over the noonday meal period is entitled to at least thirty minutes off within that period for the meal period."
There is no requirement for said employer to pay for any lunch break(s).
Meal Guidlines in NY.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
It's all on a state by state basis.
Jesus Christ on the cross, RobbO, just email them that you quit and then swing by to pick me up for a late lunch.
thanks for the chart, joe, but apparently not only do we not get lunch but our state must have ceded from the union! i cannot find my state!
Aren't you from South Jersey?
originally, no. i only lived there for a year after moving here from texas.
Is this thread really about lunch, or "lunch"?
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/18/04
You never worked for a Chinese restaurant, huh? Lunch? Breaks? What's that?
i don't have the work ethic of asian people for godsakes!
yeah that what the people @ the donkey show told me too, NOW GET BACK TO WORK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/05
Depends on the state, of course. In my state, I believe it is that employers must provide a 30 minute break for every six hours worked.
I am not sure if the break is paid or not because I am salaried. Then again, it's rare that I utilize a full lunch hour. I usually eat at my desk (like I am doing now).
Even if what your employer is doing is not illegal, it sure isn't very good for morale. Hungry employees make for tired and irritable employees!
exactly! and we don't get paid for lunch as it is, so...
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Are you over 14?
Pennsylvania employers are required to provide break periods of at least 30 minutes for minors ages 14 through 17 who work five or more consecutive hours. Employers are not required to give breaks for employees 18 and over. If your employer allows breaks, and they last less than 20 minutes, you must be paid for the break. If your employer allows meal periods, the employer is not required to pay you for your meal period if you do not work during your meal period and it lasts more than 20 minutes. A collective bargaining agreement may also govern this issue.
PA labor laws
I worked 6 hours yesterday with 2 ten minute breaks. But today I'm working 6 hours and have a lunch break...Who knows.
thanks joe. that's bogus. i'm so gonna become a migrant worker.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/05
It appears your employer is within his/her legal right in PA to not allow a lunch break today, RobbO.
But I still think it's a s***ty practice. Even for a sweatshop! You think they'd let you at least grab a sandwich for a few minutes!
Being so close to the ground will finally pay off in those tomato fields.
agreed, peach and somms.
You can call..... 1-866-487-9243. Dept. of Labor helpline. In case you have any more questions.
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