Expert: Thomas R. Ballas - 11/4/2009

Question
Work in Ca. as a delivery driver. It has always been employees option to take an hour or half hour lunch break(meal period). Recently management has Been instructing us to take full hour or face disciplinary measures. Is this legal to do so we already are at work routinely up to ten hours a now they want us to stay another half an hour that we aren't even compensated for.  Please help!!! Very frustrating no management person I have spoke to will give an "on the record" answer to their reasoning.  

Answer
Nick:

The company may set your meal period at one hour, and it may be unpaid if you are relieved of all duties and allowed to leave the property.  Here is a link to CA Q%26A on meal periods.

Tom Ballas

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ_MealPeriods.htm