I've been trying to find some info for a few days now on this matter and would like some feedback if possible.
The company I work for requires a 30 min unpaid lunch for all employees who work at least 6 hours in a shift. They also provide 15 min paid breaks each 4 hours.
Company policy in the handbook states that you are not allowed to leave company property on paid breaks... fair enough. During your req unpaid lunch you may leave store property and spend your lunch as you'd like as long as you return in 30 mins. However... for overnight crews they have started enforcing a new policy "for our safety". Once you get there at 10pm they lock the doors and set the alarm. You are then locked in until they let you out at 6:30am even during a mandantory 30min UNPAID lunch.
So... Can a company force you to take an uncompensated lunch and confine you to premises with no means of purchasing food for yourself?
It seems to me that whether the true reason for this new policy is a safety (liability) issue or one of loss prevention, there is a point at which a company's self-interest infringes on the personal rights of the employee. Technically, if you aren't being paid doesn't that mean you aren't at work?
Any help...
The company I work for requires a 30 min unpaid lunch for all employees who work at least 6 hours in a shift. They also provide 15 min paid breaks each 4 hours.
Company policy in the handbook states that you are not allowed to leave company property on paid breaks... fair enough. During your req unpaid lunch you may leave store property and spend your lunch as you'd like as long as you return in 30 mins. However... for overnight crews they have started enforcing a new policy "for our safety". Once you get there at 10pm they lock the doors and set the alarm. You are then locked in until they let you out at 6:30am even during a mandantory 30min UNPAID lunch.
So... Can a company force you to take an uncompensated lunch and confine you to premises with no means of purchasing food for yourself?
It seems to me that whether the true reason for this new policy is a safety (liability) issue or one of loss prevention, there is a point at which a company's self-interest infringes on the personal rights of the employee. Technically, if you aren't being paid doesn't that mean you aren't at work?
Any help...
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