state of florida labor laws- where are some, and is this right?

Question

i live in florid a and i work 12 hour shifts, 12am to 12pm, 3 days 1 week and 4 days another week, but on the weekends i work we work 3 nights straight for the full 12 hours, total of 36 hours in 3 days.

they(management and their lackeys) say we are only allowed either 2 15 minute breaks or 1 30 minute break for the fuill 12 hours we work every night.

i've tried to find websites that show florida state labor laws and break rights.

i know of other things that management has done or let slide that they shouldnt have, but this is the first place i want to start if im going to do anything.

does anyone know whee some websits with up to date labor laws for florida about breaks? and is this legal in florida?

ill deal with the others 1 at a time.

tompink, the "right to work" is for employee's. and if i brought up any laws to them, i would be considered as a "whistleblower", and if they cut my hours or anything of the sort that changes how im working then it is considered retaliation and i could then take more serious legal action. i've already read florida's "whistleblower" act.

i cant find a website that shows what a worker is allowed after so many amount of hours. infact, when i do a yahoo search all i get is stuff for the osha posters and them sites dont show the info im looking for either.

Answer 1

Go to the US Dept of Labor website. According to the federal guidelines, in an 8 hour shift, you are allowed 1 30 min break and 2 15 min breaks. After 8 hours you are allowed another 15 min break. After 10 hours, you are allowed another 30 min break. I could be wrong, but I know it is on the federal website. I am also certain that your employer is mistaken on the number of breaks you are allowed. Check it out.

Answer 2

Unfortunately for workers, Florida is a "right to work" state, which means your boss can fire you very easily and it's hard to challenge. If you bring the law to your boss's attention, s/he just won't give you any more hours and can get away with it. (I don't think you'll find a law to help you.) Sorry, but this is a very Republican run state and they do all they can to favor business, even those whose practices are unfair.