I'm I in trouble for working 8 hours without a lunch break?

Question

I work at lowe's in washington and I didn't know working more than 8 hours without a Lunch break may be a bad thing. A co-worker told me it can get me fired. I don't want to lose my first job, please tell what happens after this mistake.

Answer 1

Most places have warning policies. You might get a verbal warning.look at your new hire packet. It usually takes 3 warnings to get fired, but its not the same everywhere.

Answer 2

If your supervisor doesn't mention it, just make sure to take your breaks from now on.  Retail stores have gotten in a lot of trouble for not allowing breaks, so they have become very cautious.  

Answer 3

I live in Australia so this "law" does not able here.

If anything, it is the employers responsibility to ensure that you take your correct breaks due to occupational health and safety.

If you choose to work through a break, basically the employer wins as they are getting 1hour of work for free. You are only ripping yourself off.

And, this friend may also be pointing this out to you so that you don't get all the shifts as you are proving that you are a hard worker.

Answer 4

i don't know dude but...i think that's against the law, they can't force you to work more than 4 straight hours if you don't want to, i don't know who's your boss,supervicer etc...but i'm pretty sure that the main office ignore what's happening, it's against the law in E.U. to work more than 4 straight hours without lunch break, my man i'm not telling you or asking you to open your mouth,get in trouble or to complain about the problem,no way, im just tellin you that what they're doing i'ts not right,so try to get help with that

Answer 5

Laws very state by state. In my state a half hour break (unpaid) must be given when working 5 hours +.  However in your state you might not have to accept it.

The problem is, when your scheduled eg. 7am - 4pm, you are scheduled for an 8 hour day, with a 1 hour lunch break. If you don't take the lunch you either A.) leave early at 3pm after your scheduled 8 hours, or B.) stay until 4pm, which gives you 9 hours for the day.

If you are a full time employee, scheduled for 40 hours, this would mean you are either going to get overtime, which most Lowe's hate, or leave very early the last day of your work week.  This puts your employer in a bad situation as they do not want to pay overtime but also do not want the store to be understaffed.  That is why I believe even though you may be able by laws in your state not to accept a lunch break, Lowes may require you to do so.

Worst that will happen is you will get written up. If you haven't had any previous violations you will be fine.