Required lunch breaks

[Unregistered]

Can an employer force someone over the age of 18 to take a 1 hour lunch break, when working a 5 hour consecutive shift or more, maybe up to 8 hours? Is their a Federal or State law that requires a 1 hour lunch break? Can it be "corporate policy" to take a mandatory 1 hour lunch break for employees over 18?

 

[cbg]

Yes, No, Yes.

Federal law does not require breaks of any kind. No state requires an hour long lunch break.

However, the break does not have to be required by law to be a lawful break. No Federal law and no law in any state prohibits the employer from making an hour long lunch break mandatory. Unless you have a legally binding and enforceable contract or CBA that expressly and in so many words says that you cannot be required to take a lunch break unless you want to, it is entirely up to the employer what hours you work and how long a break you take. They're the ones signing the paychecks; they're the ones who get to control your hours.

 

[Betty3]

Agree with cbg.

Pa. law only requires lunch breaks of at least 30 min. for minors under age 18. However, your employer can require all/any employees to take a lunch break & when & for how long. (minus a binding employment contract to the contrary)

 

[cbg]

And quite frankly? I think you'll have to go a very long way and look a very long time before you find a binding employment contract that puts the power of when and how long a lunch break to take in the hands of the employee.

 

[Betty3]

That would be a rarity.