Is this legal to make me sit at my desk without any break for 9 hours? I can't leave my desk because I'm the..

Question

only one answering the phones? 2 people are on vacation that would normally assist. Is there anything I can do? I can't go to the restroom or have lunch. Is this right? I get headaches if I don't eat something. I can't go 9 hours without eating or drinking. I'm really upset. This just feels so inhumane and wrong. What do you think? It's not my choice.

Answer 1

legally no.... every hourly paid employee is supposed to be given a 15 min break for 4 hrs and a 1l2 hour lunch for an 8 hr shift.... you can ask your boss... where the labor lawa are listed for all to read in your office... legally a new one is to be posted near the time clock or in the breakroom for all to read... If "he does not know" where they are.... just ask for the extension to human resource...

Answer 2

Bring a cooler to keep your lunch cold at your desk.

You'll have to deal with this until people get back from vacation, or find a job that won't make you stay in one place for 9 hours.  You should be able to have a discussion with someone about getting a couple of breaks a day to at least go to the bathroom.  That really doesn't seem fair.  The rest of it sounds to be temporary due to vacations.

Answer 3

definitely illegal

Answer 4

There is NOBODY who could cover your desk for five minutes? If that's truly the case, then I'd just take the phone of the hook for three minutes while I went to the restroom. You can eat something at your desk that you've brought in with you.  

Answer 5

It sounds crazy but there is nothing illegal about it.  Does the phone allow calls to be forwarded?  You could forward the calls to cell to go to the bathroom or eat.  

If you get up to go to the bathroom and they fire you I would count that as a blessing, that place would be horrible to work for.

Answer 6

Legal depends on where you are.  US federal law doesn't mandate any breaks, but some state laws do.

In any case that's really stupid - many people would have a very wet chair if not even allowed bathroom breaks.  And if you aren't allowed a formal lunch break, it's pretty ridiculous for them to say that you can't eat at your desk.

Are you sure this is really what your boss expects?  Talk to him or her.

Answer 7

It's a violation of labor law.  But you have to have the balls to turn your employer in.

Answer 8

If you gotta go to the bathroom, then go! No one can stop you from that!!

As far as lunch, if you can't take a break then start looking for a new job then quit the one you have!!!!!!