[Ex Gp01]

Originally Posted by batserve

Federal law clearly states that there is no required lunch break or any break for that matter. You might be surprised what is not required under Federal law. Go check it out at dol.gov. It is very informative. I think the most likely violation of Federal law is in the area of overtime. There are some rules regarding breaks if breaks are allowed. For lunch breaks, meaning at least 30 minutes of real break time provided by the employer, there is no requirement for compensation during that period. However, if an employer allows for general or coffee breaks of 5-20 minutes, it is considered compensatory time.

Some states have laws that require various breaks to be provided to employees. In addition, union contracts usually stipulate break requirements. Unless your state has, or passes, a statute requiring breaks, the company is not required to give them. Having said that, prudent business practices would clearly include allowing people to have breaks. If you are going to give your best effort for the "team", the team leaders should want you at peak form during the "game" and breaks allow people to rejuvenate during the day.

If the managers at this company think social bonding is so important, maybe they should consider requiring "team" walks together, or something else, instead of drinking. It certainly would be more healthy, and probably create more positive attitudes. Of course, you cannot corner a coworker to subject them to inappropriate advances on an office walk with others as easily as you can in a bar.

It's interesting how everybody is under the belief that lunch and breaks are required by law. I had checked this out a while back while working for another company, and was shocked to learn that only like 11 states have laws requiring lunch breaks, and where I am (MO) is not one of them. I also found the overtime stuff interesting since my husband is still getting screwed by the "Big E", but that's a whole different story.