Can an employer tell the employees when they can and can’t take a lunch break?

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Can an employer tell the employees when they can and can’t take a lunch break?

An employee has developed a habit of taking lunch around 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. This has become a hassle for other employees to cover for them while they are gone for an hour. Could this employee be told their lunch hour needs to be taken between certain hours? The employee was told when they started what hours were acceptible for lunch time. When asked now, they simply respond with,

Asked on May 2, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Iowa

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

As a general rule, to ensure that the flow of work is not unduly disrupted, an employer has the right to instruct its workers when they can and cannot take their lunch break. Specifically, in IA state law only regulates the meal breaks for employees under the age of 16. This is so long as set lunch breaks are not provided for under the terms of a union agreement or employment contract. Bottom line, a company can set the conditions of employment much as they see fit (absent some form of actionable discrimination).

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

Yes, businesses have the right and discretion to manage their workflow and schedule, including instructing the employee to take his lunch at certain designated times (or conversely, blocking out some time[s] when they can't take lunch). You can tell him when to take, or not to take, lunch; employers have the authority to make rules at and for work.


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