strict company lunch hours (health insurance, pay, interest, pension)

[GypsySoul22]

Most jobs I've had have set hours to cover the office. This job I am currently doing is 'myself' running a part of the office. I can go to lunch when I want. If I am in the middle of something, I go later. I normally go at 12 because I start at 8 and it's in the middle of the day.

No one is really watching. If someone comes in and I am out, that's too bad, or someone else helps them.

I have to say it's nice not to worry if you are 2 seconds late from lunch, with someone tapping their toes looking for you.

We don't get any breaks. (weird). We can get up and get a drink or whatever but that's the time when (inevitably) someone shows up...(Murphy's law).

I'm an hourly employee (temp) but the salaried ones seem to come and go at all hours. One gal took 2 hours for lunch once and no one cared. I suppose their attitude is as long as the work is done.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

I work at a company where we can be in the middle of a major operational issue and people just abandon it because "it's lunchtime". It's insane to me, but for a lot of workers, that lunch break comes first.

That won't fly in my work. "Official Lunch time" is 11 if you work the 7AM shift and 1 if you work the 9AM shift. But you cannot quit in the middle of crucial task to take it. Sometimes I don't get it until 3 and other days I can take it at 11 or 12.

[TKramar]

Working overnights at THIS job, we have to punch out for 30 minutes. We are locked in, and he opens the doors at 11:30 pm and 2 am...and a half hour after each....and that's all. So you have TWO options...and that's it.

When I worked graveyard shift at gas stations, there WAS no actual "lunch break"...you had to be available for the whole shift--even though it was usually dead after 2:30 am, when you did your stocking.

[natalayjones]

Originally Posted by maggiekate

the people who work til 7 should get the last lunch break- also don't you get the 15 or 20 min breaks? we always got 2

yep that usually the way it works one girl comes in at 8:30, 2 at 9, 2 at 9:30 and 1 at 10 - so we all pretty much go 4 hours after we get there. And we take our 15 minue breaks wheneva we want we just have to let the others know when we're going.

[SashaBlue]

Not only do we have a set lunch hour, but we have to set our break time as well. We are only allowed to eat in the break area. We cannot, I repeat, we cannot eat at our desks. Not even a handful of peanuts or a candy bar. Nothing. Zip. Zero. The boss also took all of the candy out of our break area and only allows "healthy" snacks in our vending machine. You won't find a Snicker bar or M&Ms on our property. Only baked potato chips are available in the vending machine. Oh, and forget about getting sweet tea. They only allow you to drink unsweet tea (unless you bring it from home). There's so much more I could tell you, but I think you get the picture. Would you want to work at my office????

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by SashaBlue

Not only do we have a set lunch hour, but we have to set our break time as well. We are only allowed to eat in the break area. We cannot, I repeat, we cannot eat at our desks. Not even a handful of peanuts or a candy bar. Nothing. Zip. Zero. The boss also took all of the candy out of our break area and only allows "healthy" snacks in our vending machine. You won't find a Snicker bar or M&Ms on our property. Only baked potato chips are available in the vending machine. Oh, and forget about getting sweet tea. They only allow you to drink unsweet tea (unless you bring it from home). There's so much more I could tell you, but I think you get the picture. Would you want to work at my office????

Let me guess................ your employer provides health insurance and has been hit hard w/ heavy and high premiums based on the health and well being (or lack thereof) by some of the employees. Happening all over. Since health insurance thru an employer can not have many pre-existing condition clauses they must insure EVERYONE and the rates are pretty set across the board based on employee only, employee + spouse or employee + family. While you could be very healthy and not get sick often your going to pay the same thru the company that someone that is in really bad shape.

[mrstewart]

As a business owner, I can understand ALL of these rules that have been brought up!

Not allowed to eat at your desk?? Too bad. Why should I have to pay to get a new computer because someone spilled their drink all over it??

A scheduled lunch hour?? Good. You are right, schedules change occasionally and this is the reason you ask a co worker to change times with you.

No candy or sweetened tea at your office? Bring your own!

Good grief. If all of these work places are so horrible, open up your own business and experience for yourself the "joys" of dealing with employees.

[Crew Chief]

Lunch break? What's a lunch break??? Actually, I bring my cooler to work and "dashboard dine", so I can eat lunch anytime I want.

[SashaBlue]

Originally Posted by mrstewart

As a business owner, I can understand ALL of these rules that have been brought up!

Not allowed to eat at your desk?? Too bad. Why should I have to pay to get a new computer because someone spilled their drink all over it??

A scheduled lunch hour?? Good. You are right, schedules change occasionally and this is the reason you ask a co worker to change times with you.

No candy or sweetened tea at your office? Bring your own!

Good grief. If all of these work places are so horrible, open up your own business and experience for yourself the "joys" of dealing with employees.

I agree with everything you said, and my post was not a complaint it was just information. Thanks for your comments.

[SashaBlue]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

Let me guess................ your employer provides health insurance and has been hit hard w/ heavy and high premiums based on the health and well being (or lack thereof) by some of the employees. Happening all over. Since health insurance thru an employer can not have many pre-existing condition clauses they must insure EVERYONE and the rates are pretty set across the board based on employee only, employee + spouse or employee + family. While you could be very healthy and not get sick often your going to pay the same thru the company that someone that is in really bad shape.

No, my employer does not provide free health insurance. We once had a pension, but those hired as of 1/1/07 do not have the pension benefit. Again, we pay our own insurance, but I see your point.