What happened to lunch? Why was I reprimanded for taking a lunch break?

Question

Today a friend of mine had to come into the city, so I decided to meet her for lunch. Well I was "caught" by my boss who was there to see a client. I was reprimanded and told not to make a habit of it!
For the record I never take lunch, although I am entitled to a 45 min. unpaid lunch per day. I work from 8:30-5:15 (often times later then that). I am paid a salary so no overtime for skipping lunch or working late. Most days I scarf down a sandwich or leftovers at my desk between phone calls or meetings.
So my question is, when did it become wrong to actually take a lunch break? My work was caught up, it was unpaid and it took no more then the 45 minutes. So how was i in the wrong?
I know the lunch break is becoming a working lunch, as most people I know eat lunch at their desks while they continue to work, but why should I get in trouble when I take an actual break once in a blue moon?

The employee handbook states that we are entitled to a 45 min lunch unpaid lunch break per day. That's why the hours are 8:30-5:15 so you can complete 8 hours of work with the 45 min break.

Answer 1

Did your boss say what he thought you'd done wrong?

Most states have laws that require break times during the day. And if the company policy says that you're entitled to a 45 minute lunch, then you should ask your boss to clarify exactly what that means.

Answer 2

Its best you clarify the rules/policies regarding "lunch break" with your immediate boss or superior. If your boss could not give you the right explanation for being reprimanded then approach Human Resources Dept. I am sure there's a policy written about lunch breaks. It would also be wise to consult your fellow peers about this. Maybe they can also shed some light.

Benefit of the doubt that your employer did not realize that it was already lunch break and misinterpreted it as just gallivanting. If the right opportunity comes, initiate a conversation with your boss. Be humble enough to apologize (because he is still your boss - regardless if he was right or wrong) and express your side. Make him understand the:
1. it was lunch break. You were diligent of the time and did not go beyond 45 mins.
2. this is an isolated case because you seldom take your lunch.
3. work deliverable was on schedule. that you made sure you did not leave any unfinished tasks.

Working lunch is an option employees take or sometimes boss mandates. But as far as I know (do check your local labor law) - employees are entitled for lunch breaks.

Answer 3

This is absurd. You have a right to take breaks. Maybe your boss was just in a really bad mood. A lot of bosses think that if they have to miss a lunch every now and again, so should their employees. I also think they are just jealous we do not have the work load they do, so we can take a lunch with no rush.

A lot of people now do eat lunch on the run. That is just how fast paced this world is becoming. We have a very thriving economy to keep up.

Answer 4

I usually work through lunch also and the only time I've been "in trouble" for eating is when I took lunch at the "wrong" time than what the company found satisfactory. There are no schedualed lunch breaks so there isn't a set time for me to take a lunch.

Sounds like it might have been similar to your situation or the boss thought he/she looked bad in front of a client seeing a working not doing their job at that specific moment, though they could have just ignored you and thought nothing of it.

Answer 5

Consider that the boss may have had a bad day and was blowing off steam. Not nice, but a boss will do that sometimes.

It might also be that you were there later than the "normal" lunch hours and he assume you were taking a long lunch which would make his comment understandable if not appropriate..

Did he make a formal note of his comment? Then you should have the right to rebut the comment.

If he didn't then it may all blow over, but I agree that you were within your rights to be there.

Answer 6

I'm not sure if this is legal, there are laws to protect you against exploitation. Anyway it's pretty unhealthy and very inefficient to work over lunch. This macho count the hours management style is so self defeating and old fashioned, it causes people to unfocus on the work in hand, count minutes and work against the firm. in the end really talented people avoid these jobs and go and work for themselves (often taking valuable knowledge from the firm and directly competing against it). if I had a choice I'd leave a job like that and find a better job or industry, the extra cash is not worth the hassle. (I'm qualified in Management so I do know something)

Answer 7

Federal law provides you with a 30 minute break after 4 hours of working, the question you have to ask yourself is , do I want to keep this job? If I complain am I willing to sue the company after he lets me go for some other reason other than taking a lunch? If you believe you are right and wish to keep this co. legal and in line then ask your boss about it or go over his head if there is anyone higher to go to.

Good Luck

Answer 8

the work world is getting ridiculous. I routinely have to work through my lunch break. There is no other way to get the work done. I got in trouble as well, for someone coming into my office and not seeing my working once, even though it was my lunch break. I lock my office door and refuse to answer my phone now for at least a half hour. In your case I might talk to human resources and see what is actually expected. You are in the right. Chances are your job will back down if you question them. I did actually ask if I was supposed to work through my lunch break. They couldnt actually tell me yes.

Answer 9

If you want to approach it you can give him a hard time and say something like, "What was that all about, ?" Smile about it and confirm that you have your boss's back covered for work and phones. Make him/her confident that you have his assets covered, and didn't appreciate the bs about your lunch break in a colligial way. That's the business pc appraoch I can think of.

Or just laugh it off unless this boss is a complete jerk. Then just look at getting a new job.

Answer 10

It's not wrong to take a lunch break. If it comes up again, you can remind your boss of the labor laws. They actually should be posted somewhere in your work place (also, a law.) Maybe the two of you could swing by together and read them over.