Working through lunch, not getting paid for it

Originally Posted by SellingDubSacks

Hey guys, just found the site, think it's great. I am currently an MT who thinks I won't make it past the nine month threshold I heard so much about, but that's another post. The reason I am posting is because sometimes my branch manager makes me and the other people in the branch work through lunch. I don't mind working through lunch if I get paid for it, but I don't. The manager usually buys us all a crappy lunch (usually without asking us if we want to eat in), we eat it for 15 minutes at the most in the break-room, and then usually have to work the other 45 minutes of our lunch because some customer comes in, someone needs a pick-up, the phone rings, etc. etc.. At first I was adding the 45 minutes to the end of my day thinking it was the only fair thing to do considering we are forced to clock out one hour for lunch even if we did not take a full hour. But then I noticed my branch manager taking my hours down the day after I imputed them. I called him on it and he stated if I left at certain time, I have to clock out at that time. I told him I thought it wasn't fair since I don't take a full hour for lunch but have to clock out for one. He said it was Enterprise's policy that if the branch buys the employee lunch, then that is the same as taking an hour. I bit my lip and walked away but wanted to say:

"WHAT KIND OF BULLSH!T POLICY IS THAT!?! FIRST OF ALL THAT IS HIGHLY ILLEGAL IN THIS FREAKING STATE. IT'S BAD ENOUGH I HAVE TO WORK A TEN HOUR DAY BUT I HAVE TO WORK AN ELEVEN HOUR ONE AND GET PAID FOR TEN. WITH THE CRAP WAGES WE GET HERE ALL THE EXTRA HOURS COUNT. I MAKE THE SAME AS MY STONER FRIEND FROM HIGH SCHOOL WHO WORKS AT FRY'S AND YOU CAN'T GIVE ME ONE MORE FREAKIN HOUR BECAUSE YOU BOUGHT ME A COMBO MEAL FROM JACK IN THE BOX THAT I NEVER FREAKIN ASKED FOR. GO F#CK YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Seriously, who can I complain to? My branch manager basically told me (in his own way) that complaining about things like this doesn't make me seem like a team player. The area manager? I'm afraid if I go to him, he'll just tell my branch manager and he'll give me a hard time. I'm think about going to the higher-ups at admin. Any advice?

I thinking about post on the Stage 3 section of these boards from now on.;)

Check the fair labor standards for your state, especially statutes regarding overtime pay. Make sure you keep track of your own hours that you actually work. Sign an affidavit in front of notary. Send a demand for compensation for these hours to Enterprise. If they retaliate by threatening to hold back your promotion or fire you, you have just cause to file a complaint. Also, I'm sure you are part of a class of many ex-employees that were not compensated fairly.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Check the fair labor standards for your state, especially statutes regarding overtime pay. Make sure you keep track of your own hours that you actually work. Sign an affidavit in front of notary. Send a demand for compensation for these hours to Enterprise. If they retaliate by threatening to hold back your promotion or fire you, you have just cause to file a complaint. Also, I'm sure you are part of a class of many ex-employees that were not compensated fairly.

I would love to do this but what if the exact number of hours cannot be determined? The only thing I have is an estimate from myself and my fellow coworkers who were screwed. I do not know exactly the number of hours I was screwed out of but it happened so much I figured this was (and is) ERAC's common procedure.

Two of my BMs changed my time sheet all the time. I went from making 1000 every two weeks to making 750.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Two of my BMs changed my time sheet all the time. I went from making 1000 every two weeks to making 750.

We should all get together and sue Enterprise.

How come ERAC tools don't post in threads like this? They don't want to defend the ERAC's "no lunch but clock out for one" policy?

Originally Posted by SellingDubSacks

Hey guys, just found the site, think it's great. I am currently an MT who thinks I won't make it past the nine month threshold I heard so much about, but that's another post. The reason I am posting is because sometimes my branch manager makes me and the other people in the branch work through lunch. I don't mind working through lunch if I get paid for it, but I don't. The manager usually buys us all a crappy lunch (usually without asking us if we want to eat in), we eat it for 15 minutes at the most in the break-room, and then usually have to work the other 45 minutes of our lunch because some customer comes in, someone needs a pick-up, the phone rings, etc. etc.. At first I was adding the 45 minutes to the end of my day thinking it was the only fair thing to do considering we are forced to clock out one hour for lunch even if we did not take a full hour. But then I noticed my branch manager taking my hours down the day after I imputed them. I called him on it and he stated if I left at certain time, I have to clock out at that time. I told him I thought it wasn't fair since I don't take a full hour for lunch but have to clock out for one. He said it was Enterprise's policy that if the branch buys the employee lunch, then that is the same as taking an hour. I bit my lip and walked away but wanted to say:

"WHAT KIND OF BULLSH!T POLICY IS THAT!?! FIRST OF ALL THAT IS HIGHLY ILLEGAL IN THIS FREAKING STATE. IT'S BAD ENOUGH I HAVE TO WORK A TEN HOUR DAY BUT I HAVE TO WORK AN ELEVEN HOUR ONE AND GET PAID FOR TEN. WITH THE CRAP WAGES WE GET HERE ALL THE EXTRA HOURS COUNT. I MAKE THE SAME AS MY STONER FRIEND FROM HIGH SCHOOL WHO WORKS AT FRY'S AND YOU CAN'T GIVE ME ONE MORE FREAKIN HOUR BECAUSE YOU BOUGHT ME A COMBO MEAL FROM JACK IN THE BOX THAT I NEVER FREAKIN ASKED FOR. GO F#CK YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Seriously, who can I complain to? My branch manager basically told me (in his own way) that complaining about things like this doesn't make me seem like a team player. The area manager? I'm afraid if I go to him, he'll just tell my branch manager and he'll give me a hard time. I'm think about going to the higher-ups at admin. Any advice?

I thinking about post on the Stage 3 section of these boards from now on.;)

Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that you will attract more bees with honey. For some reason you chose this job, which leads me to believe you have some interest in sales. It is illegal to make you clock out for a lunch you didn't take. However, my suggestion is rather than complaining, try to figure out what you can do to "sell" your manager on why you should get your full hour-or get paid for what you don't take. Maybe even start the day by working out a goal so that you will be the 1st to go to lunch. Lunch shouldn't be a reward, but lets be honest, EVERYONE is more interested in how you can benefit them. It will help you in the long run learning to work "with" people, rather than just complain.

Originally Posted by SellingDubSacks

Hey guys, just found the site, think it's great. I am currently an MT who thinks I won't make it past the nine month threshold I heard so much about, but that's another post. The reason I am posting is because sometimes my branch manager makes me and the other people in the branch work through lunch. I don't mind working through lunch if I get paid for it, but I don't. The manager usually buys us all a crappy lunch (usually without asking us if we want to eat in), we eat it for 15 minutes at the most in the break-room, and then usually have to work the other 45 minutes of our lunch because some customer comes in, someone needs a pick-up, the phone rings, etc. etc.. At first I was adding the 45 minutes to the end of my day thinking it was the only fair thing to do considering we are forced to clock out one hour for lunch even if we did not take a full hour. But then I noticed my branch manager taking my hours down the day after I imputed them. I called him on it and he stated if I left at certain time, I have to clock out at that time. I told him I thought it wasn't fair since I don't take a full hour for lunch but have to clock out for one. He said it was Enterprise's policy that if the branch buys the employee lunch, then that is the same as taking an hour. I bit my lip and walked away but wanted to say:

"WHAT KIND OF BULLSH!T POLICY IS THAT!?! FIRST OF ALL THAT IS HIGHLY ILLEGAL IN THIS FREAKING STATE. IT'S BAD ENOUGH I HAVE TO WORK A TEN HOUR DAY BUT I HAVE TO WORK AN ELEVEN HOUR ONE AND GET PAID FOR TEN. WITH THE CRAP WAGES WE GET HERE ALL THE EXTRA HOURS COUNT. I MAKE THE SAME AS MY STONER FRIEND FROM HIGH SCHOOL WHO WORKS AT FRY'S AND YOU CAN'T GIVE ME ONE MORE FREAKIN HOUR BECAUSE YOU BOUGHT ME A COMBO MEAL FROM JACK IN THE BOX THAT I NEVER FREAKIN ASKED FOR. GO F#CK YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Seriously, who can I complain to? My branch manager basically told me (in his own way) that complaining about things like this doesn't make me seem like a team player. The area manager? I'm afraid if I go to him, he'll just tell my branch manager and he'll give me a hard time. I'm think about going to the higher-ups at admin. Any advice?

I thinking about post on the Stage 3 section of these boards from now on.;)

Not sure who the corporate HR VP is now, but when I was there it was Ed Adams. He was instrumental in helping me get a situation settled that would have cost me over $13,000 due to my GM's personal feelings on a matter that violated corporate policy.

I'd highly recommend an MS01 and ask for his discretion. He will help you, and he will work to ensure there is no backlash as a "whistleblower" in your group. Explain that people have changed your timesheet and the details of your situation. Especially mention that have no problem working through lunch on occassion to help the team, but that the branch paying for lunch is a completely separate issue than your time.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

However, my suggestion is rather than complaining, try to figure out what you can do to "sell" your manager on why you should get your full hour-or get paid for what you don't take.

Why the fuck should we "sell" a manager on why we should get a lunch? In CA, there's this little thing called THE LAW which requires a lunch break. Or I'll sell my manager like we sell protection: "will you give me a partial or full lunch?"

[Sidecar Randy]

Whats more of a joke lunch at erac or just erac itself?

During my brunch observation in DC it was crazy. I spoke to the assistant manager when the manager went outside to play busy. He told me don't join thi scompany, you seem smarter than this. Crazy! I hope he won't be angry but I have to say he was right. I asked him to go out with me sometime and he called the very next day to reveal everything. I tole him to write a book.

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They are writing me letters and calling me. I have my CPA certification and just got accepted in grad. school. Not only that right now I have a job as a Executive assistant and I am making 52k.

This their answer:
Dear Cereall,

We regret to hear that you took a position with another company that cannot help you with your career, like Enterprise can. We are here for you and would like you on our team.

About your salary question you will be making $10/hr and commission. When I was in the program I made 67k that first year and quickly got promoted to HR management.

Please reconsider and give me a call personally.

Sincerely,

Laura

Crazy, Crazy isn't? I am was shocked!!!!!!!!! Guys, Thank you thank you so much. It is because of this website that I declined the offer. It was the Maryland office. Before of a lady called Lara.T.Ferraiolo@erac.com and another called Laura they will call you.

Stay away from this address.
8100 Professional Place, Suite 306
Landover, MD 20785



Cereall