Breaks

BUSTER

We are a general contractor in Louisiana. At one of our field locations our crews were working a turnaround of 12-hr. shifts. The supervisor did't want to provide any breaks only a 30-minute lunch. Has any laws been violated? What should we have done?

Gar

You should check with your state's labor department to determine if there is a Louisiana statute requiring breaks and/or lunch hours. Regarding federal law (the Fair Labor Standards Act), employers aren't required to give employees lunch hours or breaks.

Mike Maslanka

one other thing...there is a growing number of lawsuits involving employees who work without breaks,get in their cars,and are so tired they run into someone...that someone sues you,the employer...regards from texas,mike maslanka

Down_the_Middle

Since neither federal nor Louisiana law requires rest breaks, it doesn't appear any violation has occurred. Aside from questioning the merits of that decision, rest breaks are the employers perogative.

THOMO1

I am currently trying to put together an LSOP regarding breaks and meals, if the state requires you to take a rest period or meal for every four hours worked, can you automatically set up your time clock to deduct 30mins from their time, if so how can you ensure that meal times are taken by the associate?