Over where I'm at, management wouldn't even think of asking people to work during their break.
I'm a person who takes a very, very quick break. It often freaks out management here when they see me take a break, then come to find me six minutes later continuing.
When our name gets called in the PA system while we're on break, we don't bother with it. If they ask later why we didn't come we just say that we're on break.
Now, as for your manager, it may be on the company's dime, but you're entitled to your break. Never work off the clock (though, I doubt you even clock out during breaks, I know we don't here xP).
This is definitely not ok. You could certainly go to the union about this. I had a store manager who would do this all the time, eventually we got fed up with him ordering us around during our breaks and started saying NO. Talk to your co-workers because it might not just be you getting this abuse and you guys need to stick together on this.
The manager of my store has been making me work during my breaks. Is this okay? He says it's on the company's dime so he can do what he feels like.
No, it is not ok. Ask your union rep if you are unionized.
Yes, they company pays for the 15 minute breaks here but by contract and state law(check your state laws), you are entitled to have an uniterrupted break.
We had a longtime employee suspended for working off the clock. The union got her job back but it sucked how she was suspended for a month.
Now, there are signs near the time clock that say no working off the clock or employees will be terminated.
If you are working on your break then its NOT a break EVEN IF management says so. What I use to do before we got different management, is that I'd "hide" during my breaktimes. I'd be DAMNED if I'm going to work on my break I REFUSE to do so. That said, I'd hide for break and then continue working so my manager thought I worked through my break. Is there a way for you to hide during your breaks?
If you are union, I'd speak to them.
*warning: be prepared for a VERY PISSED manager if you speak to your union*
Next time your manager tells you to do something when they know you're on break, tell them you're on break and walk off. Maybe that's not the absolute best way to handle it, but I'm a bit passive aggressive so that'd be my method.
OP here. To be more specific, the manager says when someone is called on the PA to go somewhere, they must go to that location even if they're on break. Afterwards, he'll add a couple minutes to the break time.
I don't understand this. Can't I just pretend to sleep and say I didn't hear the intercom? Or go outside? He said I could ask the union about it, but everyone would tell me I have to go where they tell me during my break. It doesn't make sense.
Will I get in trouble if I refuse to go somewhere when called during my break?
No, if you're called on the PA, simply ignore it or answer and tell them you're on break and you'll be there when your break is over. People do it all the time with no repercussions.
OP here. To be more specific, the manager says when someone is called on the PA to go somewhere, they must go to that location even if they're on break. Afterwards, he'll add a couple minutes to the break time.
I don't understand this. Can't I just pretend to sleep and say I didn't hear the intercom? Or go outside? He said I could ask the union about it, but everyone would tell me I have to go where they tell me during my break. It doesn't make sense.
Will I get in trouble if I refuse to go somewhere when called during my break?
You do not have to work on your break. He said it was his dime? Tell him it's your dime because your the one working.
Take your break outside in the back area if you can, or go to your car. If you don't hear them then tough sh*t on them. Just say you took break in your car.
Take your break outside in the back area if you can, or go to your car. If you don't hear them then tough sh*t on them. Just say you took break in your car.
No one should be forced to do that to avoid being called while on break. To the original OP: Take your break in the breakroom or outside or in your car or whatever. Don't let that manager push you around. A break is a break.
You shouldn't. You're right. But, sometimes management don't care. Our old manager use to make us work through our breaks and it was STILL counted as our break. One guy stood up to him and was "let go" because he found "better employment" elsewhere. So eventually we called union and old management is gone.
By if management continues to harass you on break, get union involved.
I know when I was hired, what the union told us was that if they call you to work while you're on break and they refuse to back down, then you clock in, do what they say, then clock back out for a 15 minute break, because if they call you to work while you're on your break, then the company isn't giving you your 15 minute uninterrupted break, meaning you still have your break that you can take. If they give you problems about it, then call the union and let them know what's going on.
I've never seen anyone have to do this at my store, I'm just saying what I was told personally by the union.
I go outside during a lot of my breaks, and I don't even smoke. I just don't want to be inside there the whole 8 hours. Can't hear the speaker outside :D
I go outside for my breaks as well. Once I was asked why, and I responded "I like quiet time on my break." Naturally management frowned upon it...but ya know what? I didn't...and STILL don't, give a crap. I go outside on my break. It's my right.
The manager of my store has been making me work during my breaks. Is this okay? He says it's on the company's dime so he can do what he feels like.
Don't do it. Your breaks are yours. There are managers who will bully you if you let them, and the best thing you can do is stand up to it---TACTFULLY, but FIRMLY---and nip it quick.
I go outside for my breaks as well. Once I was asked why, and I responded "I like quiet time on my break." Naturally management frowned upon it...but ya know what? I didn't...and STILL don't, give a crap. I go outside on my break. It's my right.
They can't stop you as long as you don't leave the premises on break.
