Meal Break Claims

If your employer requires you to work through your meal period, such as your lunch break, you may be owed wages. 

“Bona fide” meal periods, usually lasting 30 minutes or more, are generally not compensable if the employee is completely relieved of their work duties. However, if an employee is required to work through their meal period, for example, answering work calls, responding to work emails or texts, completing paperwork, or any other work tasks, the time spent performing these tasks is work time that should be paid.  

Sometimes employers use timekeeping and attendance systems that automatically clock employees out for their meal period, like lunch, even if the employee is still working. This can result in wage violations. For example, if you are someone whose employer deducts your pay for a meal period, you regularly work 40 hours a week (or more), and you are required to work through your unpaid meal break, you may be owed wages, like overtime pay. 

Our firm has handled many meal break cases, and we are happy to speak with you. All consultations are free and confidential. You may reach us at (615) 244-2202.