Good Day I work in New York state as a Registered Nurse.I work 8hrs but get paid for 7.5hrsMy question is, can my boss make me take a break only after 2 hours of work?
Editorial Team / Admin Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN 6 Articles; 11,330 Posts Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development. Has 18 years experience. May 15, 2017 My guess would be yes. Most laws only specify that one must be given a 30 minute break, not when that break must occur. However, I am not familiar with NY and if there are other specifics.
SDboyy 54 Posts May 15, 2017 Really need to know when your shift begins. NewYork state has a noonday meal for most employees, which extends from 11 to 2. For most 8 hr day shifts, your lunch break should fall in that window.
SDboyy 54 Posts May 15, 2017 You can access the guidlines for NY here: Meal Period Guidelines - New York State Department of Labor. Hopefully that link works. If not just copy until the .gov and then the statute should be there. Basically it says for anyone starting after 1300 the meal period must be in the middle of the shift. Sounds like you have a legitimate complaint if you choose to pursue it.
allnurses Guide Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN 4 Articles; 7,907 Posts Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions. May 15, 2017 Good Day I work in New York state as a Registered Nurse.I work 8hrs but get paid for 7.5hrsMy question is, can my boss make me take a break only after 2 hours of work?NY state law may allow it. Review the state law and/or consult with attorney versed in NY employment law to see what your employer should be doing.Keep in mind state laws vary. In California, I am required to have my break no later than 5 hours after the start of the shift. If I don't get it, my employer is penalized and has to pay me extra for taking a late lunch. So employers bend over backwards to make sure we get our breaks within that time period...and yes, sometimes this means I have to take a break 2 hours into my shift.The only exception is if I'm working only 6 hours; then lunch can be skipped without penalty.
Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN 5,047 Posts Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro. Has 16 years experience. May 16, 2017 I don't know legally, but one would think professionals are capable of working out your own break schedule. I mean I see managers at Walmart telling employees "you can go on break now," but nurses?
brownbook 3,413 Posts Has 38 years experience. May 16, 2017 I don't know legally, but one would think professionals are capable of working out your own break schedule. I mean I see managers at Walmart telling employees "you can go on break now," but nurses?I had exactly the same thought. But I hear so frequently co-workers whining to the charge nurse about their lunch or break time. So the management solution is to micro manage the staff and say who gets a break at what time!It drives me crazy, I'm not a time management expert yet I always manage to get the lunch and break times I need. Sure on crazy/busy days they may not be ideal.
Cat365 570 Posts May 16, 2017 We often have a floater that covers for you. We get a break when they are free.
