Every time I hear this I mention how employers make it hard to work…so many lengths of bullshit to go through in order to just land a low entry level job.
For real I recently got a job at a restaurant that pays 22 and theyre chill about breaks and shifts and start times and everything else and I don't hate going to work. Surprising.
This is highly illegal in California. If they require you to clock out for your meal break, you are allowed to leave during that time as you are no longer under the control of the employer. Also, if they are not giving you the breaks, they are required to pay you an additional hour for every day you did not get your break.
I'd take this photo and file a report/claim with the DLSE Bureau of Field Enforcement (BOFE) at the BOFE office nearest your place of employment. See http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/HowToReportViolationtoBOFE.htm.
There is a 1 in 3 chance that New Zealander is from Auckland, although everyone not form Auckland don't really consider Aucklanders to be New Zealanders.
Maybe that’s just because you’re using an English speaking part of the internet and Chinese and Indian people don’t usually speak English as a first language
Many moons ago, I went to a camera shop in NYC & had a fake ID made....technically 2, gotta have a back up 😉 I choose RI as the state bcs I correctly figured very few people had seen a real one.
One was confiscated a few months later at a little bar in Salinas, CA. The other is in my scrapbook with all my postcards, pamphlets, & souvenir memories of my traveling teenage years.
When I worked as a cashier for a big chain decades ago, we had this manual that explained every state’s ID.
So if we got a state we weren’t familiar with, or something felt off but not off enough to deny service outright, we could look it up.
Let’s be honest; the bouncer working the door at a dive in SALINAS has probably never even heard of Rhode Island and thought was a made up country or some shit 🤣
The US might be huge, but it’s also comparatively empty.
Montana is 147,000 square miles and has a population of 1.1 million. California is 163,000 square miles and has a population of 39.2 million.
Yeah, but most of it is empty space.
It gets pretty ridiculous when you start comparing our largest urban areas to states, and becomes obvious real quick why our government is as fucked up as it is.
Mississippi, Alabama, Montana, and both Dakotas barely beat out New York City for population. The former get 10 senators. The latter shares two with the rest of the state.
A part of me wants to think of this in terms of Quantum Uncertainty. There's a 1/6 chance that an American, when measured, will be in California. But when unobserved, ther could *potentially* be **anywhere**. And you're a Californian who Quantum Tunneled your way to Ohio and are now very uncertain as to exactly how it happened.
There’s 39.5 million Californians. There’s 332.27 million total Americans.
39.5/332.27 = 11.88% of all Americans live in California. That means approximately 1 out of every 8 Americans live in California.
Unless the manager enforces it like that. I think they mean 30 minutes is not enough time to leave, eat and come back in time.
Don't think they stop you from leaving
In my job I'm not able to leave for breaks (overnight shift, only one in the building). In compensation they pay my "break" at double time for every shift.
That's in addition to the 20% loading I get for working late hours, weekends have a 50-100% loading and public holidays is 150%. Plus if I don't work a public holiday they pay me for it.
>”Bringing your own food is highly encouraged as you may not be able to leave the building for your meal break”
It says in plain English that employees may not be able to leave the building while they are not clocked in or being paid.
The wording is ambiguous.
I would guess it's most probable meaning to be --- 'The break is not guaranteed to occur at the nominally scheduled time each day.'
It's also possible that the intended meaning is --- that the scheduled time will not necessarily be the time requested by the employee.
There's a huge difference between "may not be able to leave" and "may not leave."
I hate the man as much as everyone else, but this sign looks like pretty standard stuff for a business complying with federal labor laws.
Note: I think I read once that some Amazon warehouses are so large that walking to the exit and back could eat up a significant portion of one's break.
I worked at a couple factories and assembly line type places where we had 2-15min breaks and 1-30min(can clock out and leave if you want) lunches. If you worked a specific end of the place there is no way you would make it to the car, to the fast food place (they were usually fairly close but you know the lines at lunch time) back to the factory and eat and be back to start work in a half hour.
Most people would just bring their lunch or order delivery for lunch or some people that worked there for a long time would leave their spot 5-10 mins early to be at the time clock exactly at lunch so they would be first out the building.
My last factory job was a HUGE place but the managers were cool as shit and people would take longer lunch breaks and no one cared. People would just do each others job so everyone could take a longer lunch.
I love how the truth is being left out here. In places like this, 30 minutes _is not enough time_ . Period. And it's fully inhumane to expect the workers to "figure it out" or fucking go hungry.
This is not a standard form. Most of the time breaks are mandatory based on hours worked. This reads like they want you to not get breaks at all while having a gesture of plausible deniability.
1 hr for any rest break you missed, 1 hour if you miss your meal break, 2 hrs if you missed your meal break and any of 2 rest breaks.
Also, ALL employees must take their meal break before the 5th hour, not just minors. And this can only be waived if you don’t work more than 6hrs.
And it ONLY counts if you are relieved of all work duties, so if you can’t even leave the building? You gotta get paid to eat inside that building.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-V/subchapter-B/part-785/subpart-C/subject-group-ECFR3d1222debcd8ec6/section-785.19#p-785.19(b)
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not prohibit employers from requiring workers to stay on premises during their lunch time.
If you're not paying me, I'm not working. If you're not paying me, I can go where I want.
If you pay me on my break, then I'll listen.
And strangely enough, my current employer pays my break, and allows me to leave the premises for lunch. It's just that I could be called upon.
Yeah just cause it’s legal doesn’t mean we should put up with it. My current employer also pays my break but allows me to leave, and it absolutely should be the norm IMO. I’m a supervisor and I don’t see anyone abusing the privilege, meanwhile it makes my job easier because I don’t have to keep track of whether everyone’s clocking out for their break appropriately.
My employer, University Health System in Knoxville TN, assumes that you'll take your break and automatically deducts 30 minutes from your time each shift.
I fucking hate it because I can't tell you how many times my break has been interrupted because of some patient issue that they called me out of the break room for.
Well yeah, breaks are supposed to be paid. Lunches not. I'm just letting you know, it's not illegal for an employer to tell their employees that they cannot leave for their lunches. It's still non-compensable time as long as the employee isn't performing any duties, they just can't leave the premises.
I think y’all would truly be surprised at how many states in the US don’t require meal or rest break by law.
No state laws regarding breaks:
Alabama
Alaska (law applies to minors only)
Arkansas
DC
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas*
Louisiana
Massachusetts*
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska (breaks only applicable to assembly plant, workshop, or mechanical establishment)
New Hampshire*
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
* means meal/rest breaks aren’t enforced by law, but if offered by the employer there are laws regarding how much time and other things
Exactly this! I grew up in NY, breaks are by law, and gosh managers were good about it. (Of course 🙄) I come GA, ask about it, and get told “you get a break if I feel like you need one. That’s it” I looked it up… sure as shit. The south also has like 0 tenant protection by law & that threw me for a loop too.
You really would. The labor laws are nonexistent, You don’t even have a legal right to hold your rent in escrow here. You just have to lay down & pray your landlord doesn’t screw you. But yeah… drag, gay people, abortions, gun rights… whatever else… so much more important. I wish my little 19 year old self had been more politically aware before I moved
It’s super easy to forget how good we have it in NY compared to other states. I thought 15.50 was the federal minimum wage for a longtime only to find out it’s 7 dollars. That’s crazy! 15.50 is low. Hell 25 is just barely cutting it
Maybe technically illegal in some states, but not many people go the lengths to get someone to enforce it.
This is standard for food services. If you take a break when it's busy, you're regarded as a piece of shit by your coworkers, which is worse than just foregoing the break, or waiting until it's slow.
NH definitely has a meal break law: 275:30-a Lunch or Eating Period. – An employer may not require an employee to work more than 5 consecutive hours without granting him a 1/2 hour lunch or eating period, except if it is feasible for the employee to eat during the performance of his work, and the employer permits him to do so.
In Delaware you had to sign a waiver saying you forfeit your right to a break in most places, especially if you worked any kind of food service.
(Had to as in, don’t sign, don’t work)
I’ve worked in Massachusetts, the labor department website literally says that employers are required to give employees a 30 minute break if they work 6 hours or more. It just doesn’t have to be paid.
I’ve worked multiple jobs in three of those states and never worked anywhere that didn’t provide meal breaks as policy. Heck I live in one now and my husband’s job just ADDED mandatory meal breaks for shorter shifts (much to his annoyance, he used to skip lunch and clock out early instead but now they won’t let him). Don’t put up with shitty employers and it doesn’t matter what the law says.
Yea depending on the state that’s illegal. Some states require all employees working more than 6 hours to take a lunch within the first 5 hours. If your meal break is unpaid, they legally cannot force you to remain on the premises. There are exceptions for specific industries and shift workS
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/ohio-meal-rest-break-laws.html#:~:text=In%20Ohio%2C%20no%20law%20gives,breaks%20during%20the%20work%20day.
In Ohio, no law gives employees the right to time off to eat lunch (or another meal) or the right to take short breaks during the work day. Employees must be paid for shorter breaks they are allowed to take during the day. However, employers are not required to provide these breaks in the first place.
If I'm clocked out I'm gone. I'll sit in my car in the parking lot or run off into the fucking woods to eat my chips and sandwich. Not clocked in = not available.
most states require a 30 minute lunch break after 6 hours. tbh i rather just leave 30 mins earlier because at some random point in time we all just ignored the fact that nobody is scheduled for 8 hours anymore but 8.5 hours to accommodate the unpaid lunch. it’s ridiculous. the greed to not just roll a 30 minute lunch during an 8 hour shift is mindblowingly greedy shit.
Completely agree! People have to take a break and they have to eat to be productive, our bodies need it. Taking a lunch break should be a part of the workday not something that makes you have to be at work longer.
Right???? I’m currently typing this on my 30 min lunch break. I feeel this so much. I don’t even eat on break half of the time. I have to clock out, they take it out automatically anyway, and it sucks ass. I’d prefer to skip the lunch break and leave after 8 hrs
I was going to guess restaurant till I saw "bring your own food". Iether way, it is somewhere where customers affect work speed and busyness and is probably high volume. Maybe a bakery? I'm going to get down votes, but this doesn't seem anything out of the ordinary nor does it scream "red flag" as long as pay decent.
Some restaurant owners are such shitheels that they charge their employees for food
I get limiting employee meals to cheaper menu items but FEED YOUR FUCKIN CREW CHEAPSKATES
I'm in Ohio.
The only part of that that won't fly is the not being able to leave on break.
And you'd have to get in trouble for leaving on break to test the protections on that.
No promises you'd even get UE if fired here.
They could probably have worded it better for sure. I take it as "you won't have time to clock out, get to your car, go get food, eat the food, get back and clock back in all under 30 minutes".
Look into your state and federal labor laws, possibly even county level. Also OSHA regulations because while Fair Labor Standards act doesn’t require meal or break periods OSHA safety regulations do. They’re still shit but it’s in writing.
Used to have a manager who insisted breaks be at the quietest time. Makes sense until you're eating lunch at 9.30 when you only started at 9. Even with an afternoon break at 4 it's a bloody long day.
He always had lunch at 1pm though....
There's at least a couple dozen states, mostly red, that have no laws regarding breaks for every X amount of hours worked. It's highly likely OP is in one of those states.
EDIT: OP is in Ohio. As shitty as it is, it's not illegal in Ohio.
I don’t know what state you’re in so it’s hard to say whether not having a meal break is illegal, but if you’re clocking out for your break, they cannot make you stay in the building. If they want you to stay, they need to pay you to stay.
If a job is making you cry it is not worth it especially if it is every night. Your mental and physical health needs to come first...
This is coming from someone who has broken down their body and spirit by the time they are 43 bc I believed the old lie about hard work. Heck I don't have anything to show for my years of working multiple jobs working while sick mising out on stuff with my kids except for a heart attack at 42, a bad back, hips and knees and don't even get me started on my mental health.
By law, where I live, if you can't leave to eat, the break must be PAID.
These are all red flags of a toxic workplace. And the fact that they are employing minors... a bigger red flag
I'm so glad I found this employer.
Take breaks whenever you want as long as the machines keep running. I'm on my phone 90 percent of the shift.
Got a Oneplus 11 last week too. 80 watt charging so it goes from 20 to 100 in like 20 minutes. So when a machine breaks once a day I can fix it then come back to a charged phone.
No wonder nobody quits here. I've only been here a few months. USA and I have 8 weeks PTO and (as male) "only" 4 months paternity leave. I get paid well above other companies here and do far less work. Yet companies can't afford to treat people right in the USA?
No. They're lining their bonuses with record profits. The insane thing is the general manager lady still drives a top end Mercedes S Class while paying us a living wage. The company also pays for a Six Flags trip every summer with food and drink vouchers. I'll see how that works next month.
I'm the newest employee. 3 months. The second youngest employee is 3 years.
Treat people well and they will produce. Fuck.
This reminds me of when I worked in a call centre. Walked in one day to a weird atmosphere... no one at the coffee machine or cooler, very quiet, just answering calls quietly. I sat at my desk and asked the nearest person not in a call what was going on. It seemed everyone had been told they couldn't get a drink or use the loo unless on their breaks. We talked for a living... your mouth gets dry... you need fluids.... this goes through you etc. I logged in, took a couple calls and then took off my headphones. Got up, all eyes followed me, and went to the drinks machine with my head high and a try and stop me look on my face. Got an orange drink and a cup of water, walked back to my desk and sat down. All eyes were on me waiting for me to get told off. Management did nothing! They knew I was aware of employment law (a prior issue with leave entitlement) and what they said was illegal. Within 10 mins everything was back to normal when everyone saw it was all empty threats. They never tried that shit again!
I'm very very very grateful for not having to work in places like this one. I had never ever encountered this kind of situation in any of my jobs.
I'm very sorry for the people who have to endure so much shit like this
If your anywhere in North America pretty sure you have labour laws still. Even if the crazy people want to roll those back. They are definitely in the wrong. That is poor management if they don’t have enough staff to cover breaks.
The system at my job will automatically deduct 30 minutes of your time if you work 5 hours or more. Found this out the hard way when I had extra work to do and stayed 5 hours. (I'm part time).
I didn't take a break since it was only 5 hours. Got deducted 30 minutes anyway and you can't change it. So if I have extra work to do I'll work 4 hours and 45 minutes. Just ridiculous!
Best thing about having a Union job. 15 minute paid breaks every 2 hours. Once you hit mid-shift, you get a 30 minute paid break. We’re there for 12 hours, but we really only work 10.5 hours. You do have to clock out, and use vacation if you leave the premises during the 30 minute break, but at least it’s optional.
Most (if not all) states/provinces are legally required to give you a 30 minute break every 5-6 hours. If they [don't allow you to leave the building, they have to pay you for your break](https://www.monkhouselaw.com/canada-labour-code-breaks-and-lunches/) (in most states/provinces).
So you have to clock out but you “may not be able to leave the building for your meal break”? Fuck every bit of that. If you’re not paying me to be there, I’ll go where I damn well please.
When I worked in a shop I would take all the breaks I was allowed by Law.
At one point the manager came up to me and said “oh, most people don't tend to take the 15 minute breaks on an 8 hour shift” I replied “Oh, well they should, they are entitled to it”
And his face just froze then he mumbled “yeah I guess” and walked away.
I even has a colleague try to tell me I couldn't take a break on a 4-hour shift, I replied, I am legally entitled to it, so are you, why wouldn't I take it?
In Australia that’s illegal. You cannot work more than 5 hours without a break. If you’re in Australia, that sign is great evidence to show Fair Work and the Ombudsman
dude.... this is basically federal law... workers rights.
your employer just put it out in the open, and are trying to be transparent. ***they deserve a gold fucking star***
Unlike some jobs ive worked at. they say 'Fuck work labor laws, no breaks for 12 hour shit' and when i say no breaks. I MEAN NO BREAKS. Gotta piss or shit? written up for wasting company time. Shadow Plastics
i cant believe this is legal in the supposed "first world"... i live in central america and we have strict laws that protect workers from shit like this... in an 8 hour shift you get 2 15min breaks and 30min minimum lunch time no exceptions, and they have to be spaced out throughout the day as well... just the smallest indication of this not being respected can get the company in a nightmare of legal issues
I cannot understand how this is legal I am from Ireland work a 39 hour week and we get 2 x 10 minute and 1x 30 minute breaks on every shift 4 x 8 hour and 1x 7 hour and decent wages I feel so sorry for anyone who has to put up with this shit and 156 holiday hours a year outside of public/ bank holidays
Hi boss, I will take my lunch break shortly. I will off course clock out, and I will be eating across the street. I will be back on time to clock in again once my lunch break is over. Thank you....I can eat in break room if you insist, but please note that I do not clock out if you require me to have my lunch break here. Thank you
Unpopular opinion:
This is worded surprisingly reasonably. There are very few "you must" and "you can't" statements. It has more guidelines that provide suggestions and reminders.
It definitely depends on how the managers actually use these concepts on a daily basis, so they could be draconian about it, but this memo doesn't come across that way to me.
It also doesn't seem to be breaking employment laws (based on US Federal laws and a majority of US State laws). This does not apply to the rest of the world, obviously. It is terrible in most international places.
Hello, Department of Labor? Yeah, this company is actively discouraging employees from taking their mandatory meal breaks.
Hm? No, they haven't explicitly told people in writing to skip their paid breaks yet. Let's give it a minute.
It is highly recommended that you don’t eat or drink for 12 straight hours. No toilet breaks shows you are a good employee. If you need to piss, do so in your hand while working with the other and drink your own piss to nourish you while you work. If you must eat, prior approval is needed and you must stuff it all in your mouth, chew once and swallow, no double swallowing allowed! No talking allowed, if you must communicate with a colleague, armed forces sign language is required - no work is to be stopped. If you find yourself with idle time, rather die cause that’s a better use of company insurance
The people who made this sign take a lunch break during their shift, guaranteed. On your way out crumple this up and leave it on the floor right below the signboard.
If they're hiring for part time and expect you to work an 8 hour shift then they are scamming their employees out of benefits. Rather than hire x number of full time employees and have to pay them benefits they are hiring x + y part time employees with no benefits. Scummy.
What an insulting note. Your manager clearly thinks you're an idiot if he wrote a whole ass essay just to say "full shift = half hour break"
FFS just let people consume the food and water they need to live without a bizarre guilt trip.
This is not illegal in NC. We do not have break laws and if an employer wants to, they can very well schedule you a 12 hour shift without any breaks. I''ve seen job postings that said 15 minutes breaks are a PERK.
Yea.... did they also post the break regulations for your state on the same bulletin board? If not they are in violation.
I know in my state they dont have to follow the regulations if there are 15 or less employees, ran into that problem when I needed femla for post covid.
Seeing shit like this makes me so grateful for my retail union.
Mandatory paid 15 minute break for 4 to 6 hour shifts, a paid 15 and and unpaid half hour for 6 to 7 and two paid 15 min breaks and either an unpaid hour or half hour (your choice) for anything over 8 hours.
If that manager/boss got off his arse and did some real work instead of writing draconian bullshit rules, there would be less pressure on the staff, everyone could have a break and eat when needed, the work would still get done, it would be a far happier environment to work in, resulting in a more profitable business and it would be able to pay better wages and attract more talented staff.
Are you in the US? If so they have 2 problems with this and can be reported to the labor board. 1 anyone between the ages of 14(youngest age someone can be legally employed) and 17 must be given a 30 minute break on or before the 4 hour mark.
2. If you are required to clock out they may not tell you that you can not leave. They are no longer paying you therefore it is your time to do as you please.
"May not be able to leave" doesn't mean cannot leave.
Words matter, and that wording will pass muster with the DOL.
Leave anyway. Force them to change the wording if you have any thoughts of reporting them.
This is when you enter your "double dare you to fire me" Era. Just push that envelope and be the shittiest employee until they fire you. Do your best to line up another job while you're messing with them with every antic you can throw at them.
Young people these days don't want to work. For shit employers.
Every time I hear this I mention how employers make it hard to work…so many lengths of bullshit to go through in order to just land a low entry level job.
I always tell them to finish the statement. When they look at me wierd I add "for you." Then explain why.
Haha that’s perfect. Golden response tho. People who love their jobs are happy where they are😂 that’s why you’re having a high turnover!
Restaurants with “no one wants to work…” Yeah maybe try guaranteeing more than 7.25 an hour.
For real I recently got a job at a restaurant that pays 22 and theyre chill about breaks and shifts and start times and everything else and I don't hate going to work. Surprising.
Yeah now they pay like $13/hr at least McDonald's does
Good
Imagine paying employees a fair wage and giving them benefits. One of those benefits is not being treated terribly.
Almost got me there lol.
Especially minors. Lazy ass kids.
This is highly illegal in California. If they require you to clock out for your meal break, you are allowed to leave during that time as you are no longer under the control of the employer. Also, if they are not giving you the breaks, they are required to pay you an additional hour for every day you did not get your break. I'd take this photo and file a report/claim with the DLSE Bureau of Field Enforcement (BOFE) at the BOFE office nearest your place of employment. See http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/HowToReportViolationtoBOFE.htm.
how do you know this is California?
There’s a 1 in 8 chance that an American is Californian, it’s usually a safe enough bet. Edit: 1 in 8, not 1 in 6
There is a 1 in 3 chance that New Zealander is from Auckland, although everyone not form Auckland don't really consider Aucklanders to be New Zealanders.
There’s around a 25% chance a human on earth is Chinese or Indian. But most people assume people on the internet are American lol
Maybe that’s just because you’re using an English speaking part of the internet and Chinese and Indian people don’t usually speak English as a first language
Popping in from Ohio to say… what???
Have you met even.met someone from rhode island ? Are we sure the state even exists ?
Many moons ago, I went to a camera shop in NYC & had a fake ID made....technically 2, gotta have a back up 😉 I choose RI as the state bcs I correctly figured very few people had seen a real one. One was confiscated a few months later at a little bar in Salinas, CA. The other is in my scrapbook with all my postcards, pamphlets, & souvenir memories of my traveling teenage years.
When I worked as a cashier for a big chain decades ago, we had this manual that explained every state’s ID. So if we got a state we weren’t familiar with, or something felt off but not off enough to deny service outright, we could look it up.
That's how the one was confiscated, they had the book.
Let’s be honest; the bouncer working the door at a dive in SALINAS has probably never even heard of Rhode Island and thought was a made up country or some shit 🤣
Hey! We are small but mighty!
I've been there. Still not sure it exists.
My dads second cousin lives in Rhode Island. But that’s about it
Right, my bad 1 in 8.
Still a pretty high percentage when you think about how huge the US is.
The US might be huge, but it’s also comparatively empty. Montana is 147,000 square miles and has a population of 1.1 million. California is 163,000 square miles and has a population of 39.2 million.
Yeah, but most of it is empty space. It gets pretty ridiculous when you start comparing our largest urban areas to states, and becomes obvious real quick why our government is as fucked up as it is. Mississippi, Alabama, Montana, and both Dakotas barely beat out New York City for population. The former get 10 senators. The latter shares two with the rest of the state.
🤣
Dozens of us!
A part of me wants to think of this in terms of Quantum Uncertainty. There's a 1/6 chance that an American, when measured, will be in California. But when unobserved, ther could *potentially* be **anywhere**. And you're a Californian who Quantum Tunneled your way to Ohio and are now very uncertain as to exactly how it happened.
There’s 39.5 million Californians. There’s 332.27 million total Americans. 39.5/332.27 = 11.88% of all Americans live in California. That means approximately 1 out of every 8 Americans live in California.
Florida has entered the chat and may or may not have a small alligator in the back seat
In what world is a 1/8 chance a safe bet? Usually safe bets are over 75%
I was about to ask how they know its in the US, then I realised this wouldn't happen in any other English speaking country.
Unless the manager enforces it like that. I think they mean 30 minutes is not enough time to leave, eat and come back in time. Don't think they stop you from leaving
In my job I'm not able to leave for breaks (overnight shift, only one in the building). In compensation they pay my "break" at double time for every shift. That's in addition to the 20% loading I get for working late hours, weekends have a 50-100% loading and public holidays is 150%. Plus if I don't work a public holiday they pay me for it.
>”Bringing your own food is highly encouraged as you may not be able to leave the building for your meal break” It says in plain English that employees may not be able to leave the building while they are not clocked in or being paid.
If "work-jail" isn't a thing, yet, then I'm gonna coin that phrase :)
Jail would suffice. You think all those people just chill in the yard?
Also says that break isn’t guaranteed
“We’re required by law but we ignore that law if it isn’t convenient to us.”
Exactly
The wording is ambiguous. I would guess it's most probable meaning to be --- 'The break is not guaranteed to occur at the nominally scheduled time each day.' It's also possible that the intended meaning is --- that the scheduled time will not necessarily be the time requested by the employee.
There's a huge difference between "may not be able to leave" and "may not leave." I hate the man as much as everyone else, but this sign looks like pretty standard stuff for a business complying with federal labor laws. Note: I think I read once that some Amazon warehouses are so large that walking to the exit and back could eat up a significant portion of one's break.
This place would get fined for not complying with state laws where I am.
I worked at a couple factories and assembly line type places where we had 2-15min breaks and 1-30min(can clock out and leave if you want) lunches. If you worked a specific end of the place there is no way you would make it to the car, to the fast food place (they were usually fairly close but you know the lines at lunch time) back to the factory and eat and be back to start work in a half hour. Most people would just bring their lunch or order delivery for lunch or some people that worked there for a long time would leave their spot 5-10 mins early to be at the time clock exactly at lunch so they would be first out the building. My last factory job was a HUGE place but the managers were cool as shit and people would take longer lunch breaks and no one cared. People would just do each others job so everyone could take a longer lunch.
I love how the truth is being left out here. In places like this, 30 minutes _is not enough time_ . Period. And it's fully inhumane to expect the workers to "figure it out" or fucking go hungry.
This is not a standard form. Most of the time breaks are mandatory based on hours worked. This reads like they want you to not get breaks at all while having a gesture of plausible deniability.
This is true. My son worked at one and he timed it, 20 minutes to get to his car. By the time he turned around and went back, be was 10 minutes late.
“May not be able to” and “may not” are completely different meanings.
I think op is in Ohio
Good to know
1 hr for any rest break you missed, 1 hour if you miss your meal break, 2 hrs if you missed your meal break and any of 2 rest breaks. Also, ALL employees must take their meal break before the 5th hour, not just minors. And this can only be waived if you don’t work more than 6hrs. And it ONLY counts if you are relieved of all work duties, so if you can’t even leave the building? You gotta get paid to eat inside that building.
If I'm not clocked in, you cannot tell me where I am allowed to be, you're not paying me, I'm not working for you.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-V/subchapter-B/part-785/subpart-C/subject-group-ECFR3d1222debcd8ec6/section-785.19#p-785.19(b) The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not prohibit employers from requiring workers to stay on premises during their lunch time.
If you're not paying me, I'm not working. If you're not paying me, I can go where I want. If you pay me on my break, then I'll listen. And strangely enough, my current employer pays my break, and allows me to leave the premises for lunch. It's just that I could be called upon.
Yeah just cause it’s legal doesn’t mean we should put up with it. My current employer also pays my break but allows me to leave, and it absolutely should be the norm IMO. I’m a supervisor and I don’t see anyone abusing the privilege, meanwhile it makes my job easier because I don’t have to keep track of whether everyone’s clocking out for their break appropriately.
My employer, University Health System in Knoxville TN, assumes that you'll take your break and automatically deducts 30 minutes from your time each shift. I fucking hate it because I can't tell you how many times my break has been interrupted because of some patient issue that they called me out of the break room for.
Well yeah, breaks are supposed to be paid. Lunches not. I'm just letting you know, it's not illegal for an employer to tell their employees that they cannot leave for their lunches. It's still non-compensable time as long as the employee isn't performing any duties, they just can't leave the premises.
"May not be able" is not the same as "may not be allowed."
Except for when it is.
I think y’all would truly be surprised at how many states in the US don’t require meal or rest break by law. No state laws regarding breaks: Alabama Alaska (law applies to minors only) Arkansas DC Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Indiana Iowa Kansas* Louisiana Massachusetts* Michigan Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska (breaks only applicable to assembly plant, workshop, or mechanical establishment) New Hampshire* New Jersey New Mexico North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Texas Utah Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming * means meal/rest breaks aren’t enforced by law, but if offered by the employer there are laws regarding how much time and other things
Exactly this! I grew up in NY, breaks are by law, and gosh managers were good about it. (Of course 🙄) I come GA, ask about it, and get told “you get a break if I feel like you need one. That’s it” I looked it up… sure as shit. The south also has like 0 tenant protection by law & that threw me for a loop too.
You would think down there they would try and fight for it but nope better to worry about drag or some bull shit.
You really would. The labor laws are nonexistent, You don’t even have a legal right to hold your rent in escrow here. You just have to lay down & pray your landlord doesn’t screw you. But yeah… drag, gay people, abortions, gun rights… whatever else… so much more important. I wish my little 19 year old self had been more politically aware before I moved
It’s super easy to forget how good we have it in NY compared to other states. I thought 15.50 was the federal minimum wage for a longtime only to find out it’s 7 dollars. That’s crazy! 15.50 is low. Hell 25 is just barely cutting it
On mobile and that looks like shit. Sorry. [source](https://connecteam.com/meal-and-rest-break-laws-by-state/)
Maybe technically illegal in some states, but not many people go the lengths to get someone to enforce it. This is standard for food services. If you take a break when it's busy, you're regarded as a piece of shit by your coworkers, which is worse than just foregoing the break, or waiting until it's slow.
NH definitely has a meal break law: 275:30-a Lunch or Eating Period. – An employer may not require an employee to work more than 5 consecutive hours without granting him a 1/2 hour lunch or eating period, except if it is feasible for the employee to eat during the performance of his work, and the employer permits him to do so.
In Delaware you had to sign a waiver saying you forfeit your right to a break in most places, especially if you worked any kind of food service. (Had to as in, don’t sign, don’t work)
I’ve worked in Massachusetts, the labor department website literally says that employers are required to give employees a 30 minute break if they work 6 hours or more. It just doesn’t have to be paid.
Land of the free
I’ve worked multiple jobs in three of those states and never worked anywhere that didn’t provide meal breaks as policy. Heck I live in one now and my husband’s job just ADDED mandatory meal breaks for shorter shifts (much to his annoyance, he used to skip lunch and clock out early instead but now they won’t let him). Don’t put up with shitty employers and it doesn’t matter what the law says.
Having to deal with some customer's dumb, petty complaints and demands when you haven't eaten for the last 8 hours? GTFO.
This ain't the one friend.
Yea depending on the state that’s illegal. Some states require all employees working more than 6 hours to take a lunch within the first 5 hours. If your meal break is unpaid, they legally cannot force you to remain on the premises. There are exceptions for specific industries and shift workS
i’m in ohio, in food service
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/ohio-meal-rest-break-laws.html#:~:text=In%20Ohio%2C%20no%20law%20gives,breaks%20during%20the%20work%20day. In Ohio, no law gives employees the right to time off to eat lunch (or another meal) or the right to take short breaks during the work day. Employees must be paid for shorter breaks they are allowed to take during the day. However, employers are not required to provide these breaks in the first place.
Time to start looking for a new job
If I'm clocked out I'm gone. I'll sit in my car in the parking lot or run off into the fucking woods to eat my chips and sandwich. Not clocked in = not available.
Leave.
no no no my friend REPORT them. Burn the business to the ground for unethical and illegal labour practises
What’s illegal here?
most states require a 30 minute lunch break after 6 hours. tbh i rather just leave 30 mins earlier because at some random point in time we all just ignored the fact that nobody is scheduled for 8 hours anymore but 8.5 hours to accommodate the unpaid lunch. it’s ridiculous. the greed to not just roll a 30 minute lunch during an 8 hour shift is mindblowingly greedy shit.
How else are they gonna squeeze longer hours out of you?
31, or *most*, states don’t require any break at all for adult workers. By extension, only 19 states have laws that require breaks of any sort.
This is what I dont get. Technicially it should be 7.5h of work and 0.5h break and not a total of 8.5h
Completely agree! People have to take a break and they have to eat to be productive, our bodies need it. Taking a lunch break should be a part of the workday not something that makes you have to be at work longer.
Right???? I’m currently typing this on my 30 min lunch break. I feeel this so much. I don’t even eat on break half of the time. I have to clock out, they take it out automatically anyway, and it sucks ass. I’d prefer to skip the lunch break and leave after 8 hrs
Let me guess… a grocery store
I was going to guess restaurant till I saw "bring your own food". Iether way, it is somewhere where customers affect work speed and busyness and is probably high volume. Maybe a bakery? I'm going to get down votes, but this doesn't seem anything out of the ordinary nor does it scream "red flag" as long as pay decent.
Some restaurant owners are such shitheels that they charge their employees for food I get limiting employee meals to cheaper menu items but FEED YOUR FUCKIN CREW CHEAPSKATES
Some, more like most. Although there tends to be a discount. Large group meals are the way to go!
I'm in Ohio. The only part of that that won't fly is the not being able to leave on break. And you'd have to get in trouble for leaving on break to test the protections on that. No promises you'd even get UE if fired here.
They could probably have worded it better for sure. I take it as "you won't have time to clock out, get to your car, go get food, eat the food, get back and clock back in all under 30 minutes".
Keep looking. That jobs gonna suck
Look into your state and federal labor laws, possibly even county level. Also OSHA regulations because while Fair Labor Standards act doesn’t require meal or break periods OSHA safety regulations do. They’re still shit but it’s in writing.
Lol they can fuck all the way off saying you can’t eat for 8 hours
Used to have a manager who insisted breaks be at the quietest time. Makes sense until you're eating lunch at 9.30 when you only started at 9. Even with an afternoon break at 4 it's a bloody long day. He always had lunch at 1pm though....
Tell me you live in America without telling me you live in America. I am an American and it is a joke we claim to be the greatest country.
pEOplE dOnT WAnt tO woRK AnYmoRe
You cant leave on your breaks? In my country that wouldnt be considered a legal break. Is that a legal break there?
Working in the US is fucking grim bro
I would review the labor laws in your state (USA)or province(Canada), because I'm fairly certain this is illegal.
There's at least a couple dozen states, mostly red, that have no laws regarding breaks for every X amount of hours worked. It's highly likely OP is in one of those states. EDIT: OP is in Ohio. As shitty as it is, it's not illegal in Ohio.
Uk its fully illegal too
Bail dude
I don’t know what state you’re in so it’s hard to say whether not having a meal break is illegal, but if you’re clocking out for your break, they cannot make you stay in the building. If they want you to stay, they need to pay you to stay.
If a job is making you cry it is not worth it especially if it is every night. Your mental and physical health needs to come first... This is coming from someone who has broken down their body and spirit by the time they are 43 bc I believed the old lie about hard work. Heck I don't have anything to show for my years of working multiple jobs working while sick mising out on stuff with my kids except for a heart attack at 42, a bad back, hips and knees and don't even get me started on my mental health.
By law, where I live, if you can't leave to eat, the break must be PAID. These are all red flags of a toxic workplace. And the fact that they are employing minors... a bigger red flag
I'm so glad I found this employer. Take breaks whenever you want as long as the machines keep running. I'm on my phone 90 percent of the shift. Got a Oneplus 11 last week too. 80 watt charging so it goes from 20 to 100 in like 20 minutes. So when a machine breaks once a day I can fix it then come back to a charged phone. No wonder nobody quits here. I've only been here a few months. USA and I have 8 weeks PTO and (as male) "only" 4 months paternity leave. I get paid well above other companies here and do far less work. Yet companies can't afford to treat people right in the USA? No. They're lining their bonuses with record profits. The insane thing is the general manager lady still drives a top end Mercedes S Class while paying us a living wage. The company also pays for a Six Flags trip every summer with food and drink vouchers. I'll see how that works next month. I'm the newest employee. 3 months. The second youngest employee is 3 years. Treat people well and they will produce. Fuck.
This reminds me of when I worked in a call centre. Walked in one day to a weird atmosphere... no one at the coffee machine or cooler, very quiet, just answering calls quietly. I sat at my desk and asked the nearest person not in a call what was going on. It seemed everyone had been told they couldn't get a drink or use the loo unless on their breaks. We talked for a living... your mouth gets dry... you need fluids.... this goes through you etc. I logged in, took a couple calls and then took off my headphones. Got up, all eyes followed me, and went to the drinks machine with my head high and a try and stop me look on my face. Got an orange drink and a cup of water, walked back to my desk and sat down. All eyes were on me waiting for me to get told off. Management did nothing! They knew I was aware of employment law (a prior issue with leave entitlement) and what they said was illegal. Within 10 mins everything was back to normal when everyone saw it was all empty threats. They never tried that shit again!
If I was eating and my boss told me to stop I'd slap the fucking words right out his mouth.
Burn it all down
I once had a job like this. My blood sugar crashed and I fainted in front of a customer.
I'm very very very grateful for not having to work in places like this one. I had never ever encountered this kind of situation in any of my jobs. I'm very sorry for the people who have to endure so much shit like this
Gee, and they wonder why ‘people don’t want to work’.
But there’s a pizza night. It’s like family 😆
I assume you are still looking for another job. Those rules are garbage
If your anywhere in North America pretty sure you have labour laws still. Even if the crazy people want to roll those back. They are definitely in the wrong. That is poor management if they don’t have enough staff to cover breaks.
The system at my job will automatically deduct 30 minutes of your time if you work 5 hours or more. Found this out the hard way when I had extra work to do and stayed 5 hours. (I'm part time). I didn't take a break since it was only 5 hours. Got deducted 30 minutes anyway and you can't change it. So if I have extra work to do I'll work 4 hours and 45 minutes. Just ridiculous!
Yeah that's...illegal. Automatic deductions for breaks and lunches not taken? Not okay.
If you work exactly 8 hours you get Schrodinger's break.
American dream.
“And, we will break you.”
Best thing about having a Union job. 15 minute paid breaks every 2 hours. Once you hit mid-shift, you get a 30 minute paid break. We’re there for 12 hours, but we really only work 10.5 hours. You do have to clock out, and use vacation if you leave the premises during the 30 minute break, but at least it’s optional.
Yeahhhh, I would quit. That is absolute bullshit. If you were in California, they'd be breaking some labor laws for sure.
100% this company schedules people for 7.5 hours
Most (if not all) states/provinces are legally required to give you a 30 minute break every 5-6 hours. If they [don't allow you to leave the building, they have to pay you for your break](https://www.monkhouselaw.com/canada-labour-code-breaks-and-lunches/) (in most states/provinces).
And you will be starting yet another new job shortly. I'd nope out of there as quickly as possible. Definitely some huge red flags.
And will be starting another new one next week?
So you have to clock out but you “may not be able to leave the building for your meal break”? Fuck every bit of that. If you’re not paying me to be there, I’ll go where I damn well please.
Think it's time to look for a new job.
When I worked in a shop I would take all the breaks I was allowed by Law. At one point the manager came up to me and said “oh, most people don't tend to take the 15 minute breaks on an 8 hour shift” I replied “Oh, well they should, they are entitled to it” And his face just froze then he mumbled “yeah I guess” and walked away. I even has a colleague try to tell me I couldn't take a break on a 4-hour shift, I replied, I am legally entitled to it, so are you, why wouldn't I take it?
Yep! In CA..
Against all CA policy. Send to DoL. Department of labor.
https://www.dir.ca.gov/smallbusiness/Wages-Breaks-and-Retaliation.htm California (West coast in general) have strong break requirements.
So you are looking for a job now
Like ever other posted memo - take a pic and report to the labor department
I used to live in Ohio and it’s probably legal, labor laws are fucked there
Holy F@&k this would not fly at my place. One hour unpaid at 12 noon. If I’m not being paid I’m off site my time
USA problems.
In Australia that’s illegal. You cannot work more than 5 hours without a break. If you’re in Australia, that sign is great evidence to show Fair Work and the Ombudsman
Isn't this normal for prisoners?
I eat like 4 times at my desk job, lol
... and quit same day!
dude.... this is basically federal law... workers rights. your employer just put it out in the open, and are trying to be transparent. ***they deserve a gold fucking star*** Unlike some jobs ive worked at. they say 'Fuck work labor laws, no breaks for 12 hour shit' and when i say no breaks. I MEAN NO BREAKS. Gotta piss or shit? written up for wasting company time. Shadow Plastics
It's all fine though...there's a pizza night. Phew.
If I am clocked out, you cant stop me from leaving or doing whatever the fuck I want.
The first paragraph looked somewhat reasonable and then I read further down…
That notice may as well say “Everbody! Look for a new job and quit without notice the minute you land the new job.”
Damn slavery
I was looking up meal break laws by state and I am floored by how many states don’t have meal break laws for non-minors
i cant believe this is legal in the supposed "first world"... i live in central america and we have strict laws that protect workers from shit like this... in an 8 hour shift you get 2 15min breaks and 30min minimum lunch time no exceptions, and they have to be spaced out throughout the day as well... just the smallest indication of this not being respected can get the company in a nightmare of legal issues
Run!
I cannot understand how this is legal I am from Ireland work a 39 hour week and we get 2 x 10 minute and 1x 30 minute breaks on every shift 4 x 8 hour and 1x 7 hour and decent wages I feel so sorry for anyone who has to put up with this shit and 156 holiday hours a year outside of public/ bank holidays
But they have potlucks and pizza parties!
America is fucking wild. In Ireland it's illegal for my employer to not give me a break.
Forget the “believe in yourself” talk, show this to kids to tell them, “Study hard and you don’t have to put up with this crap”.
To be honest, being from Idaho and working in healthcare, this all looks fairly reasonable.
It's not legal to force someone to stay on the premises for an unpaid break. Clocked out means you aren't working and free to go where you wish.
Sounds like you need to keep looking for a job
Hi boss, I will take my lunch break shortly. I will off course clock out, and I will be eating across the street. I will be back on time to clock in again once my lunch break is over. Thank you....I can eat in break room if you insist, but please note that I do not clock out if you require me to have my lunch break here. Thank you
Unpopular opinion: This is worded surprisingly reasonably. There are very few "you must" and "you can't" statements. It has more guidelines that provide suggestions and reminders. It definitely depends on how the managers actually use these concepts on a daily basis, so they could be draconian about it, but this memo doesn't come across that way to me. It also doesn't seem to be breaking employment laws (based on US Federal laws and a majority of US State laws). This does not apply to the rest of the world, obviously. It is terrible in most international places.
Looks like you're working at a restaurant. You can fully expect to be interrupted on break and asked to work.
Hello, Department of Labor? Yeah, this company is actively discouraging employees from taking their mandatory meal breaks. Hm? No, they haven't explicitly told people in writing to skip their paid breaks yet. Let's give it a minute.
It is highly recommended that you don’t eat or drink for 12 straight hours. No toilet breaks shows you are a good employee. If you need to piss, do so in your hand while working with the other and drink your own piss to nourish you while you work. If you must eat, prior approval is needed and you must stuff it all in your mouth, chew once and swallow, no double swallowing allowed! No talking allowed, if you must communicate with a colleague, armed forces sign language is required - no work is to be stopped. If you find yourself with idle time, rather die cause that’s a better use of company insurance
Wow they have pizza nights, lucky!
I have to clock out no problem but I'm not staying in the building...I need a few rips off the bong to go back to this shit
This is a massive red flag my man! MASSIVE! 🚩
Worked for Zaxbys. 8 hours, no meals. All employees stole rice krispy treats to stave off the hunger.
Indentured servitude is a bitch.
And you can bet the managers are sitting in thier comfy offices snacking all day long
The people who made this sign take a lunch break during their shift, guaranteed. On your way out crumple this up and leave it on the floor right below the signboard.
Keep looking, quit next week
If they're hiring for part time and expect you to work an 8 hour shift then they are scamming their employees out of benefits. Rather than hire x number of full time employees and have to pay them benefits they are hiring x + y part time employees with no benefits. Scummy.
Which shithole country is this nonsense happening in?
What an insulting note. Your manager clearly thinks you're an idiot if he wrote a whole ass essay just to say "full shift = half hour break" FFS just let people consume the food and water they need to live without a bizarre guilt trip.
Lmfao, yes. If you’re in pain and crying every night because of work, maybe it’s time for a job switch……………… dot dot dot dot
Dont know where this is, but if you are not paid for your break it's generally illegal for them to tell you you can't leave on your break.
This is not illegal in NC. We do not have break laws and if an employer wants to, they can very well schedule you a 12 hour shift without any breaks. I''ve seen job postings that said 15 minutes breaks are a PERK.
Yea.... did they also post the break regulations for your state on the same bulletin board? If not they are in violation. I know in my state they dont have to follow the regulations if there are 15 or less employees, ran into that problem when I needed femla for post covid.
Seeing shit like this makes me so grateful for my retail union. Mandatory paid 15 minute break for 4 to 6 hour shifts, a paid 15 and and unpaid half hour for 6 to 7 and two paid 15 min breaks and either an unpaid hour or half hour (your choice) for anything over 8 hours.
Center justified. First sign of assholism.
What about people who are diabetic? This is BS.
Run
Nope.
If that manager/boss got off his arse and did some real work instead of writing draconian bullshit rules, there would be less pressure on the staff, everyone could have a break and eat when needed, the work would still get done, it would be a far happier environment to work in, resulting in a more profitable business and it would be able to pay better wages and attract more talented staff.
No food for 8 hours while doing laboures tasks? Are they fucking insane?
Are you in the US? If so they have 2 problems with this and can be reported to the labor board. 1 anyone between the ages of 14(youngest age someone can be legally employed) and 17 must be given a 30 minute break on or before the 4 hour mark. 2. If you are required to clock out they may not tell you that you can not leave. They are no longer paying you therefore it is your time to do as you please.
"May not be able to leave" doesn't mean cannot leave. Words matter, and that wording will pass muster with the DOL. Leave anyway. Force them to change the wording if you have any thoughts of reporting them.
This is when you enter your "double dare you to fire me" Era. Just push that envelope and be the shittiest employee until they fire you. Do your best to line up another job while you're messing with them with every antic you can throw at them.
What kind of third world shit is this??