We are salaried and work 8.5 hours/day (or longer if need be).  We are given 2 15" breaks and 1 30" break for lunch.  If we do not take our lunch break, we do not get to leave 30" early. We are only paid for 8 hours no matter what.  So we may as well take our lunch break although many times we shorten our breaks because of high workload.  

Linda A. Sebree, HT(ASCP)
University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
IHC/ISH Laboratory
A4/204-2472
600 Highland Ave.
Madison, WI 53792
(608)265-6596
FAX: (608)262-7174


-----Original Message-----
From: MEller@stpetes.org [mailto:MEller@stpetes.org]
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 1:22 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Mandatory lunch breaks?


Hi all - In the pathology department at our hospital we prefer NOT to take
a lunch break, since that puts us 1/2 hour further behind.  The three of us
are already currently working more hours than we would prefer, and do not
want to stay longer into the day than we already  have to.  We prefer to
take a 15-20 minute break earlier in the day, and then work thru till the
work is done.  If we have a new employee or a pool person we tell them they
can take a 1/2 hour lunch if they would like, and that they are also
entitled to a 15 minute break for each 4 hours they work.  We never tell
anyone they can't take a lunch.  We just prefer not to take one ourselves..
Now administration is telling us we all HAVE to take a 30 minute lunch and
that it will be deducted from our time cards.  I'm wondering how this is
handled in other places, and if anyone knows if there is a federal law
mandating 30 minutes lunches, or if it varies state by state, or per
unions, etc.  Any input is appreciated!