without taking a 30 minute or more break? If they are an adult and would like to work through their lunch/break to shorten the time that they are at work during the day why can't they?
2007-09-23 06:12:32 · 6 answers · asked by 121381 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Law & Legal
Working 8 straight hours is tiring and most human beings need to go to the bathroom and take a breather.
Just 100 years ago you couldn't take any breaks at any time, people were collaping from exhaustion so they passed a law for owners to be decent to their workers, that is why.
2007-09-23 06:21:27 · answer #1 · answered by Tapestry6 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not against the law. Any guidelines are directives to the employer as to what must be offered. There are no requirements for you to accept them and a written waiver is not required. Many managers don't have the insight or confidence to operate without broad brush policies. The signature is just a means of protection for an already apprehensive company.
If you don't believe this, look at the posters near your time clock or in the break room. The employees are not even mentioned. Your local "Wage and Hour" office can confirm this. It's much easier for management to hide behind the law instead of reading it Good Luck.
2007-09-23 14:58:44 · answer #2 · answered by look at yourself 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't against the law, if your employer allows it. It is regulated by the Worker's Compensation people. I don't have a lunch break where I work and have signed a paper saying that I will not take lunch breaks. I work in a small store and I am the only one there. If I closed the store to take a lunch break, the store would lose business. Most companies are bound by the 30 minute break law because of the work the employee does and the time they are open for business.
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/workhours/breaks.htm
2007-09-23 13:29:09 · answer #3 · answered by Twisted Maggie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I only know of one state where this is true -- California. (Which doesn't mean it isn't true of other states.)
The problem is that some employers were working their employees without letting them have a break when they needed them (very physical labor), and reporting your company as being in violation of the law is a good way to get fired. No - not legally, they will find another "reason" for laying you off.
We live in a tough world where employers aren't always smart, so some states felt the need to legislate that. This means that some people can't just "get in, get done, and get gone" as they would like -- they are required to take the break.
Keep in mind that studies have shown that people cannot be at the top of their game without a break -- so take one for the minimum, and put it to good use.
2007-09-23 17:21:42 · answer #4 · answered by mj69catz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is the ticket...it's not healthy to skip meals, and too many employers were forcing people to work through lunches, so the government had to step in and pass a law to require it.
With that said...employers, also support the law...b/c maybe they DON'T WANT you to leave 30 minutes early?
If you have a shop open until 5:00...would you want your employees leaving at 4:30 because they skipped their lunch?
I think not.
2007-09-23 13:30:40 · answer #5 · answered by Expert8675309 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on where you are located. Some states mandate a lunch break after 4 or 5 hours. Federal law doesn't, so unless you are in a state that does, you can work as many hours in a row as you and your boss agree on
2007-09-23 13:50:07 · answer #6 · answered by Judy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋