Questionnnn.

[ferryface]

hi, i work at taco bell. im 18, and i work 7-8 hours a day, 40 hours a week. and i dont get breaks. the only break ill get is a two minute ciggarette one. and sometimes i wont even get to do that, it all depends on how busy we are. and even that i do work at taco bell, we will be so busy, that i wont be able to eat anything. AND if i want to take a break, there has to be enough people on that shift in order for me to do so. so, sometimes i will go a day without a smoke break, like today . and one of my co-workers told me that State Law is a 15 minute break for everyone, especially women.

now all i want to know is if this is true, and legal.

[Marketeer]

What state are you in?

There are no states that give breaks only to women.

[Pattymd]

Oops, Marketeer, she's posting in the NJ forum.

NJ law does not require rest breaks or meal periods for employees 18 years of age or older.
http://www.state.nj.us/labor/lsse/lsgenfaq.html

[Marketeer]

Oops! That's what I get for answering while sleep deprived.

[cbg]

Furthermore, despite a persistant belief to the contrary, NO state requires a 15 minute break for adult employees. Approximately six states offer a ten minute break for every four hours worked (NJ is NOT one of them) and I'm informed that at least one state offers a 15 minute break to minors, though I have not confirmed that. But NOWHERE in the US, unless provided by contract, is an adult employee legally entitled to a 15 minute break.

As indicated above, neither Federal nor NJ law requires that adult employees (and if you are 18 you are considered an adult under employment law) receive any breaks at all.

Also, no state requires that you be provided with smoke breaks.

[Pattymd]

Oops! That's what I get for answering while sleep deprived.

I'm surprised I caught it too, considering I'm on drugs for back pain today.

[ferryface]

k thanks guys.