What rights do people have as to where they can eat their lunch in the work place?

Question

E.G do you have to leave certain areas to make way for other people outside of the organisation. If so what rights act would cover it????

I forgot to mention, sorry, that we cannot sit in our kitchen and MUST sit at our desks.

Answer 1

There are no specific rights covering this. Health and safety issues may dictate that it is unsafe to eat near loud or dangerous machinery etc, but there's nothing specific about where to eat lunch.

All employees must comply with 'reasonable requests' from their employer. If you are asked to leave an area to make way for other people, then your employer has every right to make the request, and you should comply.

Answer 2

A poster of employ rights must be displayed in a common area in the workplace. You'll usually find it in the restroom or a break room. Also the size of the company is a factor on where and when it has to be displayed.

However, your "rights" regarding meal breaks, specifically where, when and IF you may eat, is a decision that is made by the company you work for.

During the early 1980's, Reagan/Bush administration, and during the PAT CO strikes, employee rights were seriously eroded. The right to have a lunch break is left solely to the discretion and whim of the employer.

While it may be unheard of to NOT get a lunch break or morning and afternoon breaks, it is still the decision of the individual employer. The only thing that an employer is obligated to provide to employees is minimum wage. EVERYTHING else is a perc and not regulated by the government.

Whether or not this is a good thing would depend upon if you were a CEO or a migrant worker.

Peace.

Answer 3

We have a lunch room, but more often than not I'm stuck at my office desk eating away during lunch hour. If someone doesn't like it, they can walk in the opposite direction. But in my line of work, lunch for me is a quick sandwich and then back to the grind. I don't have time to waste walking downstairs to the lunch room, waste an hour then walk back.

Answer 4

I think that would come under company policy. ALL business must have a place where their employees are allowed to eat; however, some companies allow you to eat at your desk, etc.

Answer 5

Your employer tells you what you can. and can't do. They have to give you lunch time, and may very well tell you not to eat at your desk.

Answer 6

I'm pretty sure they can tell you where you can and cannot eat. It's their property. They can make the rules.

Answer 7

Cafe!