LABOR LAWS FOR OVERTIME
When it comes to labor laws, they’re set by both federal and state governments. Issues like how often you should get a break and the maximum working hours can be are addressed in each policy. Most laws apply to any business, regardless of their gross revenue, the number of employees, or the type of business.
As an employee, you are protected under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which addresses several workers’ rights. These include child labor laws, working hours, overtime pay, and wages. This federal act is currently enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.
Let’s Discuss Rest Periods
An attorney for restaurant workers can agree that FLSA doesn’t make it mandatory for employers to offer meals or breaks. Under this law, an employee may legally work an eight-hour shift without even a restroom break. However, there are not many employees that do.
Many employers will offer break periods for a multitude of reasons.
- First, they know that breaks help employees rejuvenate their bodies and minds.
- Second, they know that employees who don’t get proper nutrition are less productive.
- Third, employers know that to be competitive in their job offering, they need to allow for rest periods like other employers in their industry do.
Many states address mandatory rest periods for workers. State laws supersede the lack of federal law in this area of employment. Each state will be a bit different in what they mandate. For example, Rhode Island requires a 30-minute break during an eight-hour shift. California requires a 30-minute break for every five hours worked except when an employee is only working six hours or less. On the other hand, New York requires a full-hour meal break at or around noon for factory workers.
Paid vs. Unpaid Breaks
Legal professionals can help clarify when an employer must and may choose not to pay you for a break. In general, FLSA does address short breaks. Anything between 10 and 20 minutes is considered a short break. The employer must pay for these short breaks. However, a meal break that is 30-minutes or more of uninterrupted time doesn’t have to be paid for. It’s up to the employer whether or not they choose to compensate you for the mealtime.
Why Are Breaks a Good Idea?
Your lawyer can list countless reasons why giving employees regular breaks is a great idea. When sitting down and looking over many laws, you may find that you can have an employee work for an entire eight-hour shift without taking a meal or rest break. However, it would be counterproductive to do.
Employees who can’t take breaks tend to fatigue faster. Their concentration levels become poor, and their overall productivity level lowers. When employees are working straight eight-hour shifts, they are less productive than employees who get regularly scheduled rest and meal breaks.
A Quick Look at Other Laws
The Los Angeles workplace lawyer that is handling your case can tell you that the regulations regarding working eight-hour straight shifts come down to more than just federal and state labor laws. Other laws grant employees the right to have rest periods to address crucial issues.
For example, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 permits nursing mothers reasonable break times to pump their milk. Also, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 opens a whole other door of necessary rights regarding those with disabilities in the workplace and their ability to have breaks or rest periods.
Benefits Of Offering Employees Breaks
While many decisions about your business will be easily governed by federal, state, and local laws, they shouldn’t be your only area of consultation. You need to think about the overall operations of your business and how a decision will alter those operations. Any Los Angeles restaurant worker rights lawyer can assist you in determining what’s the best approach for your business.
When it comes to offering employee breaks, there are many benefits you can gain from doing so. By understanding what these benefits are, you can make a more informed decision about your business. These many benefits include:
Increased Productivity
Most employers can relate to the reasoning behind this benefit. When you take a short break, it can help to rejuvenate your mind. When you take the time to eat lunch, it can help to boost your creativity and concentration. Therefore, it’s not hard to realize that regular breaks allow for increased employee productivity. Higher productivity levels mean more revenue for your business.
Better Mental Well-Being
An employee’s mental well-being has a big effect on their ability to work. When your employee gets regular breaks, they can refresh their mind and alleviate some stress. Employees who are less stressed are more attentive at work and more outgoing. This can be crucial in a customer-facing role like serving or hosting.
Healthier Employees
Healthy employees are an asset to any company. They take fewer sick days and are more attentive and productive throughout the average workday. When you provide employees with regular rest and meal breaks, they can practice healthy habits throughout the day. For example, they can use a short rest period to meditate or walk around the block in the morning.
While the labor laws regarding an eight-hour straight shift can vary depending on the state you live in, it’s never a good idea to force employees to work these long, uninterrupted shifts. Rest periods and meal breaks are an essential part of any employee’s well-being. And, they can mean the difference between low and high productivity throughout the workday.