Company Lunch breaks

[Anonymous]

A few times per year our company gets lunch from our vendors.

I normally eat and mingle a bit with other co-workers I barely see, then I go out for my lunch break. (1hr.)

I was just told by my supervisor, that I needed to use this time as my lunch break. My Contract says 8-5 with 1hr. break.

I honestly would rather take my break than attend these lunch breaks. There is no policy in the company and people do different things from eating at their desk during lunch to going out during lunch.

Is he reasonable to ask for this? I do not have work pending at my desk and it is not interfering with my work.

What Companies/employees normally do?

[Anonymous]

You can't bring yourself to attend a few of these lunches per year?

[Anonymous]

They are requiring you to go to these lunch events? Then that is your lunch break.

I think if you are going to this lunch break and then taking a second lunch break, then don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are requiring you to go to these lunch events? Then that is your lunch break.

I think if you are going to this lunch break and then taking a second lunch break, then don't.

Nooo a mandatory company event is not a break. Lunch break is unpaid. If they are requiring attendance, it should be paid.

[Anonymous]

Is there a reason you're being so nitpicky?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are requiring you to go to these lunch events? Then that is your lunch break.

I think if you are going to this lunch break and then taking a second lunch break, then don't.

Nooo a mandatory company event is not a break. Lunch break is unpaid. If they are requiring attendance, it should be paid.

This. Tf?

[Anonymous]

You are not talking like a team player. It's a free lunch, which you say you partake in and a chance to network with coworkers.
But here you are quibbling over getting "cheated" out of an hour's pay a few times a year in exchange for the above.
You are not valuing team-building company events.

[Anonymous]

Good luck in your career, OP.

I'll leave it at that.

[Anonymous]

This is the hill you want to die on?

[Anonymous]

A FEW times per year?

Yes, that is your [free] lunch break.

If your supv. said something to you, it is a big deal by now.

Are you an hourly clock in/clock out employee? Your OP reads like one, not an exempt professional staffer.

[Anonymous]

A one hour lunch break on top of a free lunch. No wonder your manager questions it.

[Anonymous]

You are a nickel and dime person picking up Pennies in front of a steam roller.

If you are an on the clock person yes legally you can do this.

I had people so this who work for me and I just don’t invite them to the lunch. We had a breakfast fun meeting last week and some people walked out an hour early. Was no work. Just to get us all together to mingle. On the clock people it can count as work hours. But a professional is different

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are not talking like a team player. It's a free lunch, which you say you partake in and a chance to network with coworkers.
But here you are quibbling over getting "cheated" out of an hour's pay a few times a year in exchange for the above.
You are not valuing team-building company events.

"Team Player" = when I am getting paid. If its my lunch break I am not getting paid and there is no team and I am not playing.

Company events should be paid if mandatory. Implicitly or explicitly mandatory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are not talking like a team player. It's a free lunch, which you say you partake in and a chance to network with coworkers.
But here you are quibbling over getting "cheated" out of an hour's pay a few times a year in exchange for the above.
You are not valuing team-building company events.

"Team Player" = when I am getting paid. If its my lunch break I am not getting paid and there is no team and I am not playing.

Company events should be paid if mandatory. Implicitly or explicitly mandatory.

Is this OP again? Do you clock in and clock out, like a fast food worker, for example who rightly has pay protections for overtime and shift differentials? Are you a nonexempt employee who is either on the clock or not?

If not, lose this mentality. Your boss is watching.

[Anonymous]

You must hate that job and have no plans to advance there.
If you are a contractor, sounds like it, take your hour when the others are eating their team lunch and DO NOT EAT THE FREE LUNCH OR HANG OUT THEN.
By your standards, you are clocking a paid hour and doing no work during that free lunch.
By your employer's standards you are doing that then wanting your unpaid hour too. So they are not getting any work out of you for 2 hours plus giving free food.

If you ever get a job where you are a salaried employee hoping to advance do not act like a timeclock puncher.