forced to take lunches

[premgourmet]

I work 8 hr days, there forcing me to take a 1/2 lunch, which cuts into my 40 hr pay,I was hired in from the hours of 6:45-2:45 with no lunch, now they say I have to take a lunch during that time, which cuts my hours down to 37 1/2 a week, I work my second job at 3:30, they new that when they hired me.. 2 yrs ago.. They say if I want to make up those 2 1/2 hrs I will have to come in on saturday to make them up.. Is this legal? I already work saturdays at my second job. Please help me with this....

[cbg]

Your employer is doing nothing illegal. If they want you to take a lunch, you take a lunch. If you have to leave early for your other job and they want you to come in on Saturday to make up the time, that is not illegal either. Your employer sets your hours, not you.

They have no obligation to arrange your hours around your other job, and nothing in the law says they can't change your hours.

[premgourmet]

How can they force me to take a lunch when its not company policy? The other employees, are not made to punch out for lunch, they work there 8 1/2 hrs and get paid for all 8 1/2, and dont have to take lunch, doesnt seem quite fair? I only work 8hrs and still have to punch out for lunch ? is this still legal?

[cbg]

Unless you have a valid reason to believe that you, and only you, are being required to punch out for lunch BECAUSE OF your race, religion, national origin or other characteristic protected by Federal or state law, yes, it is still legal.