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stuartroelke OP t1_irxxfkf wrote

Reply to comment by RevengencerAlf in Getting Paid Lunches in MA by stuartroelke

Just because it’s similar to not being paid for a commute—although it really isn’t—that doesn’t make it right. And, it’s not free time. You are taking lunch in order to remain an effective employee. You can’t do everything you would if that time was available at the begging or end of your shift, and therefore they are taking some of your freedom in exchange for nothing. I believe it should be compensated.

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Kissfan07 t1_iryc2fg wrote

But if they said you could leave an hour early if you skipped lunch, would you still need that hour to “remain effective”, or could you power through so that you could enjoy an extra hour at the end of the day? I’m willing to bet you would make it. An hour lunch break is a time you’re not working, and you can spend it as you choose. Nobody should be paying for an employee to sit around.

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monicarperkins t1_irylr74 wrote

There have been many times I've taken my "lunch break" during the last hour of my shift and went home.

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stuartroelke OP t1_iryqnsd wrote

It’s not “sitting around,” eating lunch is a basic right. I know you COULD fast for eight or more hours, but that’s also not a reason to comply with anything. And as I said before, it’s not free time, and you can’t spend it how you choose. You are bound to the location you work. It’s not the same as having time at the beginning or end of a shift.

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XtremeWRATH360 t1_is0b5a5 wrote

Your point you keep losing people on is this whole “it’s not free time you can’t spend it how you choose” makes zero sense. On a lunch you can go eat food, go to the bank, go get your car washed, go get your taxes done, spend some time with a significant other, take a walk and on and on. You have to have a better argument because again you’re making it seem like you’re held hostage and have to get permission from your employer to do anything while you’re out on lunch. And let’s say you magically get paid for lunch. How will getting paid allow you to get things done during the same time span that you magically can’t get done currently? None of this makes sense.

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Kissfan07 t1_iryrjys wrote

You’re hopeless. Start your own business and do what you want. There is absolutely no pleasing people like you.

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stuartroelke OP t1_iryyg9i wrote

Pleasing people like me? That phrase is meaningless. I’m asking for advice on how to advocate for labor regulations that I believe in, and you’re calling me hopeless. What do you want me to say? It’s hypocritical.

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Kissfan07 t1_is0o9sl wrote

Your arguments are bull shit. You’re telling me the hour isn’t free time. It is. Just because you can’t catch a movie, or mow your lawn in that hour, doesn’t mean it’s worthless. I do t eat lunch, so I sit around. You eat, so you expect to be paid because somehow that’s a “right”.

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Ialnyien t1_irzawrv wrote

Eating lunch is not a basic right. You have a good thought but I would highly recommend you steer away from the hyperbole.

If you are prevented from leaving the premise of your employer, I would think they’d have to pay you for that. That was always a stipulation is that if they require you to be present during your lunch, it should be paid.

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