so, I've read many posts on here about people not being able to take breaks, having management or others try to bully them out of taking breaks, yet I hadn't really experienced this at my job. Sure there are the times everyone wants to take a break at the same time so you kind of have to wait to take yours... it gets really busy so you wait.. you usually begin to learn when the busy times are and take your break before then to avoid this... These are all somewhat acceptable reasons that your exact break time might be affected.
However yesterday, for the first time ever. I was ON MY BREAK, EATING MY DINNER and the newest manager of the store (we have 4, i'm assuming this is the same at most stores) comes up to me and asks me "how much longer are you going to be on break because I need you on the floor" I have a right to my breaks. I was eating my dinner and this KID that likely never worked a day of manual labor in his life comes up to me on my break and tells me to get back to work. I didn't really know how to respond. I had maybe a minute left anyway so I just got up and went back to work and only afterwards did I start brooding on how ****ed up this was. After this, he asked another coworker who was about to get off, to stay late, he said "ok, but I haven't eaten all day i'm really hungry." The same manager replied "You need the extra hours don't you?" Staying late would have put this employee at 7 and a half hours. I told him, dude, if you work 7 and a half hours, you get 2 breaks. Don't let him bully you out of your break, go get something to eat (and take your break somewhere he can't see you to harass you)
This new manager was flipping out because we were out of stuff.. There is nothing I can do if they don't ship us enough boxes of spinach. I can't fill the holes when I have nothing to fill it with. Just because the floor looks like **** isn't because we aren't working, it's because we don't have anything to put on the floor. Insisting we skip breaks isn't going to magically create merchandise to stock. It's like he had never seem this situation before, yet it happens at our store all the time and I would say things really didn't look THAT bad.. I have been there when it was way worse.
Yeah that's bull. If he disturbs you on a break again and this started to become a regular thing I would threaten to contact the union rep. He could be fired for violating union contract if he tries to force you out of or off your breaks early.
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I thought people were joking when they said working for Kroger sucks...
Depends on the contract. In my state for example (Michigan), there is no law for breaks and lunches. This led to less bargaining power with my local union. Our contract does not say we are entitled to "uninterrupted breaks." One time, my manager came up to me while I was on break and told me to get back on the floor an threatened me. He said even while on break, it was "his dime." I was so pissed.
Anyhow, if you actually have an uninterrupted break clause in your contract, take it up with the union if they try to pull this on you. Even if it's not in your contract, you could still "fall asleep," "not hear someone," or were out to lunch or outside. It sucks if you're forced to resort to any of this though.
That's why I take my breaks outside where you can't "hear anyone." (Not true, you can hear, but I've played "deaf" while on my breaks outside. So far, so good. Haven't been caught yet. But when it does happen, **** will hit the fan
it's actually a more upscale store. we get a lot of rich people that live in the city shopping there. yet it's not a "marketplace" we don't have clothing, etc.. so it's not a huge store.
I don't know anything about a non-interruption clause, but isn't it THE LAW that you are entitled to your breaks? I mean, wtf am I paying union dues for if I can't even get them to enforce this most basic of rights? I shouldn't have to run off and hide on my break, but you can bet I will anytime I'm working and he's the manager for that shift.
"on my dime"? first off it's not HIS dime. second off, if i'm clocked out, i'm CLOCKED OUT, get it? It means I'm not on the clock and therefore can't work until I'm clocked back in. This is not a slave plantation or a North Korean Prison Labor Camp. I am not property of some ******* manager and this kind of condescending attitude does nothing to increase my output.
"The law" differs depending on what state you live in. Breaks and lunches are not federally mandated.
It's really just a matter of picking your battles. Sometimes, it's best just to let things slide of your back. But, if this becomes a constant problem, get the union involved. You pay dues for a reason.
it's actually a more upscale store. we get a lot of rich people that live in the city shopping there. yet it's not a "marketplace" we don't have clothing, etc.. so it's not a huge store.
I don't know anything about a non-interruption clause, but isn't it THE LAW that you are entitled to your breaks? I mean, wtf am I paying union dues for if I can't even get them to enforce this most basic of rights? I shouldn't have to run off and hide on my break, but you can bet I will anytime I'm working and he's the manager for that shift.
"on my dime"? first off it's not HIS dime. second off, if i'm clocked out, i'm CLOCKED OUT, get it? It means I'm not on the clock and therefore can't work until I'm clocked back in. This is not a slave plantation or a North Korean Prison Labor Camp. I am not property of some ******* manager and this kind of condescending attitude does nothing to increase my output.
Woah there, Mr. Self-entitlement.
Breaks aren't part of basic human rights. If you really believe it's THE LAW, find it on your state's statutes, clauses, codes, etc. and show it to their faces.
Like what others have said, it depends on your state regarding breaks. Some are more employee-friendly and guarantee you breaks, some are business-friendly and give some form of loose interpretation for it.
What you could do is either tell the manager to allow you the rest of your break at a later time. But, we all know that they won't allow that, so tell the manager to shut his face and let you finish. ;)
What you can also do, is if management is hellbent on cutting into your break, rather than risk them making your shift hell for you if you don't come back, just start your break over at the next available time. I did this when I was a courtesy clerk. They'd interrupt me on my break and bitch me out if I said I was on break. So when I was on carts I went into hiding for my break and took it then.
Yeah, I might need a few minutes to stretch and re-hydrate and possibly eat if i'm working an 8 hour shift. How entitled of me to think I should be allowed to stop and get something to drink.
Some girls used to work in the deli with me, and they were never happy when I'd go on my break. They would skip their breaks and I think they expected me to skip mine, but I always take mine. I don't care what you choose to do, but don't expect me to work through my break just because you're stupid enough to work through yours. There's nothing that would make me give up my breaks, I don't care how busy it is.
I worked the 2-10 shift, in kitchen, and was told i could not take my break between 3 and 8;30, which leaves...when ?
My first hour there/ whats the point.
my last two, is when i had the most work to do, close up stuff.
see, problem was, NOBODY wanted to work that kitchen, even for a 30 min break, so nobody would cover me, and i had to wait untill there was no people at all.so many a night, i'd get no break
