Can your job force you to take a lunch?

[Exterous]

So, my work is forcing me to take a lunch. Since its so far away from my house and there is nothing to do I don't want to sit around bored for 30 minutes at work. I never really eat lunch either - at most an apple of banana. Here's the kicker too - I can't just come in 30 min early or late - I have to punch out for 30 min during the day.

I am trying to find someone who will let me leave early (at say 4:30) then punch me in at 4:59pm and then back out at 5pm so I can just go home

 

[mzkhadir]

you will get fired for time card something

 

[EarthwormJim]

It has to do with your states laws.

For a certain amount of hours you work, your employer is obligated to make you take a lunch. If you don't take that lunch they're supposed to pay you extra.

Just bring a book to work or something so you have something to do during the 30 minutes.

 

[JohnAn2112]

It is likely that your state's employment laws are requiring this and your company needs proof (ie: time card) to show that all their employees are taking their designated 30 minute lunch breaks.

 

[BurnItDwn]

What I like to do during my lunch break is to eat lunch. Perhaps that is something you should consider?

 

[wetcat007]

Actually it's probably state law forcing them to force to you to take a lunch. So yes.

With a some of the states with those laws, they require that it is done within the first 6 or 7 hours of your shift I believe, so you don't simply take ur lunch at the end of your shift and wait 30 minutes and then punchin/out.

Post what state you live in.

 

[Dulanic]

Every place I have worked for is like that.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: wetcat007
Actually it's probably state law forcing them to force to you to take a lunch. So yes.

With a some of the states with those laws, they require that it is done within the first 6 or 7 hours of your shift I believe, so you don't simply take ur lunch at the end of your shift and wait 30 minutes and then punchin/out.

Post what state you live in.

Looks like he is in Michigan.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
What I like to do during my lunch break is to eat lunch. Perhaps that is something you should consider?

This is usually a good idea. The human body is a machine that runs on energy (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) and nutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc), and supplying the body with needed food will help to prevent fatigue, malnourishment, and in extreme cases, death.

 

[jimbob200521]

You are, at least in Illinois, required to take at least a 20 minutes lunch if you work an 8 hour day. I think...

 

[Zenmervolt]

List of the state laws regarding meal breaks:

http://www.dol.gov/esa/programs/whd/state/meal.htm

ZV

 

[oogabooga]

Yup, they can.
30 minutes isn't so bad, I have to take an hour long lunch of which I usually just end up coming in and doing work anyway.

 

[doze]

Depends on your state law, but your employer can also make your schedule however they want as long as it is legal. In Texas lunch breaks are not required for adults but my employer schedules an hour a day for us.

 

[Dacalo]

It's mandatory in CA. One day, I didn't take lunch and the head of HR overheard the conversation. She freaked out and begged me to take one. She glared at my boss as she walked by, even though he had nothing to do with it.

 

[hanoverphist]

here in az its mandatory. i dont even clock out anymore for mine, i know they will autodeduct it anyway. i dont eat either, so i go out and smoke a couple smokes and go back to work. since i waste time here anyway, i dont mind the extra time i put in not on the clock =P

 

[jtvang125]

Also in CA I believe for every 4 hours you work you get a 15 minute break on the clock.

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: Exterous
So, my work is forcing me to take a lunch. Since its so far away from my house and there is nothing to do I don't want to sit around bored for 30 minutes at work. I never really eat lunch either - at most an apple of banana. Here's the kicker too - I can't just come in 30 min early or late - I have to punch out for 30 min during the day.

I am trying to find someone who will let me leave early (at say 4:30) then punch me in at 4:59pm and then back out at 5pm so I can just go home

Where do you work?

 

[Luthien]

Relax and take a walk while you eat your banana.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Exterous
So, my work is forcing me to take a lunch. Since its so far away from my house and there is nothing to do I don't want to sit around bored for 30 minutes at work. I never really eat lunch either - at most an apple of banana. Here's the kicker too - I can't just come in 30 min early or late - I have to punch out for 30 min during the day.

I am trying to find someone who will let me leave early (at say 4:30) then punch me in at 4:59pm and then back out at 5pm so I can just go home

Yes, they can. And I would give up on trying to find someone who will help you violate company policy and perhaps state labor laws because doing that will probably get you fired if the company finds out about it.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: Exterous
So, my work is forcing me to take a lunch. Since its so far away from my house and there is nothing to do I don't want to sit around bored for 30 minutes at work. I never really eat lunch either - at most an apple of banana. Here's the kicker too - I can't just come in 30 min early or late - I have to punch out for 30 min during the day.

I am trying to find someone who will let me leave early (at say 4:30) then punch me in at 4:59pm and then back out at 5pm so I can just go home

I bet you could just ride around in your whaaambulance for a half hour.

 

[FoBoT]

yes, but they can't make you eat

breaks for non-exempt/hourly workers are often defined by the state labor board and the company will get fined if you don't follow the rules

follow the rules or find a nice salary slave job and you can work 12 hours in a row for the same pay as 5 hours

have a nice day! :sun:

 

[jadinolf]

Don't let them push you around. Get a lawyer, like Johnny Coch............oops.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: EarthwormJim
It has to do with your states laws.

For a certain amount of hours you work, your employer is obligated to make you take a lunch. If you don't take that lunch they're supposed to pay you extra.

Just bring a book to work or something so you have something to do during the 30 minutes.

not about paying it out...it's about it's illegal to make someone work 8 hours and not have a break.

Even if the employee states it in writing, the bleeding hearts will back up that the company forced some poor sod to work instead of taking a bit of time off.

Anyway if someone can't find something useful to do in 30mins then there is a problem.

 

[Exterous]

I am not aware of a law that requires a break for employees over 18 in michigan - besides, I had been not taking a break on a regular basis for 3 years and now all of a sudden I have to - its just annoying. I guess I'm just annoyed that I had been given the freedom to monitor and ensure my work was completed and done in a timely manner and used to be able to flex my own schedule to make this happen for the past 3 years. Now everything is scrutinized and controlled to a very tight degree. Just something I'll have to get used to I guess. And yes, I will take that ride in my Wambulance now.

 

[Kelemvor]

If I was in your situation, I'd just bring a book to read or something. And then while you are reading it, if anyone asks you any questions, tell them to come back later as you are on lunch.

I take a lunch just about every day unless I'm trying to make up time. Then I'll work through it (and eat at my desk) or something like that.