Our situation is much like Jenny's.   We get 2 - 15 minute breaks, which are
paid time. Break times are discretionary, if you don't have time for a
break, you just miss the break. We get a 30 minute lunch, unpaid time.   We
work 8 and half hours a day, although the half hour is lunch time.    IF by
some chance, we are so busy we do not take lunch, we can clock a no lunch
taken for that day and get paid for the extra 30 minutes. (at the
supervisor's approval)  I believe this is a federal law.   If you are paid
by the hour, they have to pay you for actual time worked or they are in
violation of labor laws.   If you are salaried, the laws are different.
Also, if we are called back to work before lunch is over, we get paid for
the 30 minutes.  
Hazel

-----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!