Company Lunch breaks

[Anonymous]

In that situation I have skipped office lunch and just taken my personal lunch. Not two lunches.

[Anonymous]

So you get a break from work and then want an hour break? Huh?

[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.

I agree with this, but I also think OP is going to be branded as high maintenance/a whiner if she pushes back on this. Which sucks. But if her lunch hour is being monitored enough for anyone to notice this, then she is likely not high up enough to be making waves.

And maybe in the employer’s eyes it is an optional free lunch so it seems like she’s double dipping.

[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.

Is this satire?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Hilarious that you have fallen for the "exempt professional" canard, where they expect you to work a MINIMUM of 40 hours, but will only pay you a MAXIMUM of 40 hours, and guess what they expect a lot more. Its not like as an exempt employee you can get your work done fast, and head on out the door.

But OP, realize there is no such thing as a free lunch, and your supervisor has decided to put a target on your back, so act accordingly.

[Anonymous]

A few times a year I'd suck it up or you will look bad.

[Anonymous]

A few hours a year's pay is your hill to die on, huh?

OP just "get even" by not doing any work whilst on the clock...for one minute a day. That's 5 minutes a week. Should cover your "few" stolen hours.

I would get rid of you first if the situation arose and I had to choose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I am not OP but OP states they have a contract from 8-5 with a 1-hour break. There are some companies that work like this and will pay for overtime over 40 hours. My company is one such company because as another poster has so eloquently pointed out most companies expect a minimum of 40 but only pay a maximum of 40. If I have to use PTO to take an hour doctors appointment but I am still working 40+ hours the whole idea of exempt employee is a sham.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I am not OP but OP states they have a contract from 8-5 with a 1-hour break. There are some companies that work like this and will pay for overtime over 40 hours. My company is one such company because as another poster has so eloquently pointed out most companies expect a minimum of 40 but only pay a maximum of 40. If I have to use PTO to take an hour doctors appointment but I am still working 40+ hours the whole idea of exempt employee is a sham.

The claim is that you will get bonuses and promotions as an exempt employee to make up for extra hours worked. From my experience is the bosses buddies he goes for drinks with that get the bonuses not the long hours get things done workers, but maybe your workplace is the exception

[Anonymous]

Your supervisor must find you really rigid. Goodness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your supervisor must find you really rigid. Goodness.

Maybe they have food allergies or something so don’t eat much at the corp lunch, and wants to head out and have their actual lunch.

[Anonymous]

Then they can bring own food to corporate lunch or not go at all and take personal break. Not do both for an hour each.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

How old are you? My guess is young/haven't been working long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A few times a year I'd suck it up or you will look bad.

+1. Not saying you do not have some kind of a point but not one you should make.

[Anonymous]

If its mandatory then the company needs to pay you for it. Otherwise they cant mandate how you spend your unpaid lunch. As a manager i always have like a 15-20 min meeting whole people are eating and then they can charge the whole hour to overhead for a "training" meeting.