Archived can i get in trouble for forgetting or not taking a 15

[BullseyeBabe]

Another thing, according to the break and lunch guidelines that are posted on the same board where they hang our schedules we should get a lunch and two breaks if we are scheduled to work seven hours including our 1/2 hour meal, but we're never scheduled that way.

 

[Retail Girl]

Another thing, according to the break and lunch guidelines that are posted on the same board where they hang our schedules we should get a lunch and two breaks if we are scheduled to work seven hours including our 1/2 hour meal, but we're never scheduled that way.

This is a constant fight in our store. Some say that it has to be seven hours worked (not with the half hour lunch). Others say the seven hours includes the half hour...so if you get your second break depends on the person in charge. Our GSTL won't give it, (but save for a couple of people) but the rest of us will.

 

[ZombiePanties31]

Another thing, according to the break and lunch guidelines that are posted on the same board where they hang our schedules we should get a lunch and two breaks if we are scheduled to work seven hours including our 1/2 hour meal, but we're never scheduled that way.

This is a constant fight in our store. Some say that it has to be seven hours worked (not with the half hour lunch). Others say the seven hours includes the half hour...so if you get your second break depends on the person in charge. Our GSTL won't give it, (but save for a couple of people) but the rest of us will.

Your GSTL is full of crap. If you work (meaning if you are scheduled and are AT work for that period) 7 or more hours, by law, you are entitled to one 30 minute unpaid break and 2 15 minutes paid breaks.

 

[ETHICS DEMANDER]

I am adamant about taking breaks. It infuriates me that people brag about not taking their breaks. The company does not have to provide them at all, yet they do. They are figured into time management and how many hours it takes to complete a job. We have a thread where people are angry about the wage increase they receive for the amount of work they do, yet they are willing to give the company anywhere from $2-$4 every single day by working during their breaks. It is arrogance and stupidity. Can anyone just follow procedures and rules anymore without thinking that the store will go under if they don't????

Depends on laws but for most part ...they are required to give us breaks by law.. don't think for one second they are doing it out of the kindness of their heart .... if they could target would gives us no breaks and whatever

 

[Retail Girl]

It might be law in your state, but around here, only our half hour lunch is covered by law. And the state where I'm from originally has no laws in place for lunches or breaks for adults.

 

[Rarejem]

From my state's labor standards:

Breaks – Employees Younger Than 18
Employees under 18 years of age may not work longer than six hours without receiving at least a 30-minute duty free meal period. Breaks of shorter duration are not required, but – of course – may be offered.

Breaks – Employees 18 Years of Age and Older
For employees of any age, if the employer provides breaks of less than 30 consecutive minutes in duration, the break time should be counted as work time.

(My state's) law does not require that employers provide brief rest periods, coffee breaks, or meal periods to adult employees, although the Department recommends that employers do so.

Employers are encouraged, but not required, to provide breaks of at least 30 minutes in duration at times reasonably close to the usual meal period. Such matters are to be determined directly between the employer and the employee.

THIS is why the 6 hour rule pisses me off. It is NOT the law in my state. Tell me it's Target's policy, but don't tell me it's the law unless you're under 18.

 

[Retail Girl]

This website lists the only states that require paid breaks. As you can see, most states do not require 15 minute breaks, and those that do only generally require 10 minutes. This particular link does not cover meals.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/rest.htm

 

[commiecorvus]

Most states don't require the 15s but a few do so Spot just makes blanket rules for all states to CTA.

 

[BullseyeBabe]

Our guidelines are hanging right by the schedules and the breakouts. It states that we get a 30 min lunch and 2 15 min breaks if we work 7 hours including the 30 min lunch. No one follows that though.

 

[Rarejem]

You all realize, of course, that this will be the next thing - first higher paid jobs (specialists, combining TL positions, AP, etc.), then hours, then insurance, then breaks, and then time for meals....

If you're not being allowed to take breaks maybe you're a pilot store. bwahahahaha

 

[mrknownothing]

You all realize, of course, that this will be the next thing - first higher paid jobs (specialists, combining TL positions, AP, etc.), then hours, then insurance, then breaks, and then time for meals....

If you're not being allowed to take breaks maybe you're a pilot store. bwahahahaha

After that, the next thing will be pay.

 

[FallenAngel]

Another thing, according to the break and lunch guidelines that are posted on the same board where they hang our schedules we should get a lunch and two breaks if we are scheduled to work seven hours including our 1/2 hour meal, but we're never scheduled that way.

This is a constant fight in our store. Some say that it has to be seven hours worked (not with the half hour lunch). Others say the seven hours includes the half hour...so if you get your second break depends on the person in charge. Our GSTL won't give it, (but save for a couple of people) but the rest of us will.

My store insists it's 7 hours on the clock to get the second break. So if I'm scheduled 8-3, I don't get that second. Then they like to schedule us for a 7 hour 15 min shift to put us just under that timeframe. My favorite (insert sarcasm font) is when they give me a 5.5 hour shift or the occasional 5.75 hour shift. I found that breaks don't matter to me as much except for when I'm on register. Standing there in a cage, dealing with the steady stream of -

"Hi, how are you? are you saving 5% with your redcard today? blah blah blah... oh you have your own bags (told to me AFTER I've filled a plastic bag or two), ok so you telling me this item is 5cents less than it rang up.. and this one... oh and this one is 1.98 instead of 1.99? Sure I can fix it and save you that penny. No I'm sorry you need to buy three of that item to get the $5 gift card. Yes I understand the signs are confusing (what's confusing about buy 3 of this item for a $5 gift card?) Yes it's safe to use your credit card. Blah blah blah, 5%, free shipping, 30 extra days to return, cashback to schools. Oh and you have a survey on the bottom, you could be entered to win a gift card for filling it out, and 9's and 10's would really be wonderful. Thanks for shopping at Target!"

makes me count the SECONDS when breaktime is approaching.

 

[Rarejem]

You all realize, of course, that this will be the next thing - first higher paid jobs (specialists, combining TL positions, AP, etc.), then hours, then insurance, then breaks, and then time for meals....

If you're not being allowed to take breaks maybe you're a pilot store. bwahahahaha

After that, the next thing will be pay.

That started already... Can you say "shift differential"? You used to get it for your whole shift, now it ends at 8 am. Wonder why flow tm's don't want to stay? It's a paycut for those hours.

 

[Triscuit]

I was taking a 15 once, and one of the leads at my store told me to get back to work because there was a big workload. Uhh It really ticked me off that I was basically being forced to NOT take a 15. Definitely going to bring this to my ETL-HRs attention since she makes sure everyone is taking their breaks

 

[JustJoe]

I skipped my last 15 today. It felt dirty... But summer seasonal hit clearance this week and the backroom is full of stuff to be marked. Oh, and a ton of toys hit today too.

Tomorrow will be like this:

ETL- Can you help price change work the backroom workload?
Me-

 

[PinkZinnia]

Breaks are good, but I don't need them all the time, yet I will take them because they are offered to me. I usually take them because I have to get something to drink. All that yapping at the register can make you very thirsty.

What does annoy me are the cashiers who whine that it's time for their first 15 or their last 15 - constantly - but of course they have already taken at least 2 bathroom breaks (which I call texting breaks) usually when lines are building. They don't seem to have any concept of importance and this isn't only in reference to when they take their breaks but also on how long they take their breaks. They constantly take 20 to 25 min breaks and the gstl doesn't say anything to them about that or about going to the bathroom frequently, so why should they bother to pay attention to their clocks. I think the inmates are running the asylum!

Ok, my rant is over and on that note, I want to say that I have been reading through this site tonight and there is a lot of good information and helpful hints.. Thanks!

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Welcome, pink!

 

[Rarejem]

So I was talking with my STL about this and asked why they keep saying that it is the law. (It was a nice, casual convo) and she said that it's different for publicly traded companies. Seriously? Drink some more kool-aid, Barbie.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/workhours/breaks.htm

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/flsa/screen6.asp

 

[PinkZinnia]

I don't think many people (management) know the actual employment laws.. I think target uses a general rule for stores in all states unless a certain state has other mandated rules that are above and beyond what the majority of states require, such as California and New York..

I'm sure it's easier for the company to create a standard to use throughout the country, then to change it state by state..

Recently I looked up the laws in my state because I got in trouble for going over compliance by one minute. My etl told me that target can get cited by the federal govt.. That didn't sound correct to me, so I researched it online..that's when I saw all the different rules per state..
I understand the purpose for making the general rule, but I don't understand the etl making a comment like that without knowing what she was talking about.. Maybe she didn't think I would research the info..

 

[JustJoe]

I can't stand California labor law and how Spot interprets it! The 5th hour rule makes sense, but the state only mandates a 30 minute meal period. I don't need a 45 minute lunch, and I usually am hovering over the time clock at the 43 minute mark waiting to clock in. At my previous CA employers one offered a 30 min lunch and the other an hour. The one with the hour was an office job and we all went to lunch at the same time, and usually to the same place.

 

[mrknownothing]

I can't stand California labor law and how Spot interprets it! The 5th hour rule makes sense, but the state only mandates a 30 minute meal period. I don't need a 45 minute lunch, and I usually am hovering over the time clock at the 43 minute mark waiting to clock in. At my previous CA employers one offered a 30 min lunch and the other an hour. The one with the hour was an office job and we all went to lunch at the same time, and usually to the same place.

We have to take 46-min lunches in NY too, and my other job (a government job, mind you) only gives me a 30-min lunch.

 

[daninnj]

You all realize, of course, that this will be the next thing - first higher paid jobs (specialists, combining TL positions, AP, etc.), then hours, then insurance, then breaks, and then time for meals....

If you're not being allowed to take breaks maybe you're a pilot store. bwahahahaha

After that, the next thing will be pay.

I can imagine them taking away or reducing the employee discount. They already closed the restaurant/entertainment giftcard loophole. Oh and the 401k match.

 

[Rarejem]

You all realize, of course, that this will be the next thing - first higher paid jobs (specialists, combining TL positions, AP, etc.), then hours, then insurance, then breaks, and then time for meals....

If you're not being allowed to take breaks maybe you're a pilot store. bwahahahaha

After that, the next thing will be pay.

I can imagine them taking away or reducing the employee discount. They already closed the restaurant/entertainment giftcard loophole. Oh and the 401k match.

Wait... WHAT?

 

[daninnj]

Sorry, I meant I can see them taking it away. My syntax was off.

 

[PinkButterfly]

I usually take both of my breaks and my meal but there are times when I decide to skip my last break. If I have alot left to do before I get off then I will work through my last break to complete my tasks so that I can clock out on time. No one questions if I take a break but they flip their shit when I havent gone to take my meal by 5 1/2 hours...some days I just get super busy but I watch the time and I know as long as I clock out before 6 hour mark I am ok.