Workplace issues (employee, work, company, paid)

[grmngrl8203]

I'm trying to help my mom out and find out if this stuff is okay. Not sure where to look it up so maybe you guys will have some info. to help me.

First off, she works 7 hours and only gets a 15 minute break. I work 8 hours and get a hour for lunch and 2 10 minute breaks.

And then she told me last week, they put a note on the time clock for everyone that you can't go to your vehicle on your break?

Are these things okay?

[KABurke]

Sounds like she works at Walmart.

[EzPeterson]

Depends on what state they're in.

[Velvet Jones]

Originally Posted by grmngrl8203

I'm trying to help my mom out and find out if this stuff is okay. Not sure where to look it up so maybe you guys will have some info. to help me.

First off, she works 7 hours and only gets a 15 minute break. I work 8 hours and get a hour for lunch and 2 10 minute breaks.

And then she told me last week, they put a note on the time clock for everyone that you can't go to your vehicle on your break?

Are these things okay?

What state is she in? Many states mandate a 30 minute break after x number of hours. Here is a decent overview of the various state laws:

State Laws on Meal and Rest Breaks | Nolo.com

[grmngrl8203]

She is in Illinois.

[YAZ]

In Illinois, totally fine.

[marigolds6]

In Illinois, she does not have to get a break at all, but if it is an unpaid break, it needs to be 20 minutes and she has to be allowed to leave. It might even need to be 30 minutes; not sure if Illinois' definition of a meal period would trump the federal definition of a bona fide meal break.
Since it is only 15 minutes and she is not allowed to leave, I assume it is a paid break. As long as it is paid, it is perfectly fine in Illinois.

[thebunny]

Originally Posted by marigolds6

In Illinois, she does not have to get a break at all, but if it is an unpaid break, it needs to be 20 minutes and she has to be allowed to leave. It might even need to be 30 minutes; not sure if Illinois' definition of a meal period would trump the federal definition of a bona fide meal break.
Since it is only 15 minutes and she is not allowed to leave, I assume it is a paid break. As long as it is paid, it is perfectly fine in Illinois.

Correct. The 30 minute unpaid break is not legally mandated.

Also, on a break, if it is a paid break the employee is still on company time and it is perfectly legal for them to state where she can and can't go while on her break.

[JennStar]

Man that sucks. Slave-drivers!

[YAZ]

I worked at a place that required us to sign in & out for restroom breaks.