I could not find any specific laws regarding what employers can impose on employees during their unpaid lunch break. Where I work, the two owners, due to their religious belief(s), are not allowed to eat any kind of meat. Which is fine, however, they are also imposing that on all employees.

There are signs posted in the break room that read something similar to "There are to be no meat products brought into [Company]'s facility at any time." Meaning that we cannot store, eat, heat-up, or refrigerate any meal containing meat in the building. Nearly every employee has to go somewhere to buy and eat their lunch because of this.

Could someone please provide me with a link to the information where it states laws prohibiting or allowing religious practices/beliefs to be imposed upon employees.

Also, should I get a picture of the sign for legal ground?

Thanks in advance! :)

I can't because they aren't. They aren't forcing you to pray. They aren't even proselytizing. They are prohibiting certain items from being brought onto the property; that is their right. They are not preventing YOU from practicing YOUR religion.

There are plenty of meatless options. And not to sound like your mother, because I love a good burger as much as anybody, but one meatless meal a day would probably be good for you. Or, as you say, you can go out. Again, it's one meal a day. In the scheme of things, I don't see this as either religious discrimination or even a big deal.

That isn't necessarily a religious belief. Most serious vegetarians...including agnostic and atheist vegetarians that don't have a spiritual reason behind their diet...insist on keeping a vegetarian kitchen.

There is no law that forbids an employer to prohibit an employee from bringing meat on the property.

You have options.

Bring a lunch that doesn't need meat as Patty mentioned, like a pizza without meat toppings, eggplant parmigiana, or macaroni and cheese.

Visit one of California's many health food stores and get suggestions from the staff for other pre-made vegetarian meals that are attractive to non-veg eaters...or even a cookbook with meals that can be easily made in a microwave microwave, such as a plate of southwestern nachos.

Collect menus from restaurants in the area and pick one to be the lunch place of the day. Get people together to call in the order in advance, have it ready and waiting for you, and carpool out and back.

Get people together to call in an order of food, have someone pick it up and bring it to a nearby park and make a picnic out of it.

Call some nearby restaurants that are a step about lunch counter fare and enquire about getting one nice meal a weak catered in that doesn't have meat for a crowd that doesn't usually eat vegetarian food. Restaurateurs/caterers have to manage countless requests such as these.

And/Or...get people together and brainstorm, given your specific situations and your needs.

Thanks for the information and suggestions, much appreciated. :)

There are lots of no-meat options available. My husband is a vegetarian and I'm not. We manage. :) I've collected a lot of vegetarian cookbooks - you might try that as well.