And there’s nothing I am going to do about it. I have to keep this job because I’m a single parent with two kids and a mortgage, and my boss is extremely flexible with my hours and output.
The state I live in requires that hourly employees get one or two paid ten-minute breaks, and one of our departments doesn’t comply. About 80 employees are affected. We tell the employees they are entitled to their breaks in orientation, and then the department swoops in on their new staff and says “that’s not the way we do it.” They have no legal exemption. They just insist that it would be too hard to give these breaks.
I want to anonymously report them to the state so bad, but my boss would definitely know that it was me, and my job would become infinitely worse and she would absolutely stop being flexible with me.
Today, I directly asked her what she would want me to say if an employee asked if it was illegal, and she told me to just say that’s how the department does it.
I hate that I have to be a slave to this system.
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You don’t have to be a ‘slave’…..you said yourself that you get perks….
You complain a lot, but there is no one forcing you to work at this place, or do job interviews with different companies…
You are complaining about 20 minutes worth of breaks, but they are flex schedule and output? Grow up.
That is a messed up situation and I have worked in places like that before.
You could always try convincing one of the other employees to report for you. Maybe get a disgruntled worker from that department to report it. There are ways.
I really respect your honesty. It’s heartbreaking how often people are forced to choose between doing what’s right and doing what’s necessary for survival. You’re not weak—you’re carrying a heavy load and doing your best within a broken system. I hope things shift someday so you don’t have to make such impossible trade-offs.
I worked for a rich multinational financial services company that only allowed breaks for smokers even though they were required for everyone. They never got in trouble.
Report and document any retaliation. Then sue and get bag.
If they are actively avoiding it like that you need to report. If the shoe was on the other foot they would not lie for you.
why would she think it was you and not one of the employees who is being denied their break?
ur boss is flexible on your hours and output and here u are bitching about a 10 mins break
How would they know it’s you and not one of the 80 other people? Just stay quiet for 6 months, never speak of it again, hell even start saying things like maybe the no breaks thing is really efficient or whatever reason they do it show support. Then one day just report it.
Two 10 min breaks? A State law? Sorry, but that’s just too much. How it can be a law is a joke.
When you said your workplace was doing something illegal, my initial thoughts was it was hideous. Like dumping waste or breaking codes, etc. Not “breaking a 10 min break law”.
Can people go to the bathroom? That’s 10 min right there.
Tell me they are hourly and are told they have to work through lunch and not get paid for it……….then we’re talking. Tell me they are forced to work 50 hour weeks and paid for 40 as hourly employees (exempt employees may do it frequently, BTW), you’d have a point.
You know some states have qui tam statues. These statues allow whistle blowers to make bank for coming forward – so you may want to check with an attorney and see if anything can be done.
I’ve worked for a few places that were clearly and openly implementing illegal employment or work practices, but when your life depends on the income it’s hard to nuke the company and nuke yourself alongside it. Even if ethically you should. I never could pull the trigger, even after years of mistreatment and abuse at these places.