Published Oct 18, 2015
Electric0704
22 Posts
I am curious to know how long are your breaks and how many breaks do you get?
I currently only get a 30 minute break in a 12hour shift and just wondering is this even legal
turnforthenurse, MSN, NP
3,364 Posts
A break? What's that?
Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN
766 Posts
Legally, for a twelve hour shift you are required to take a 30 minute break and two 15 minute breaks but LOL.
LOL.
There is no federal law requiring a lunch break (or any breaks at all). Many states do have a requirement, but it varies on each state.
The federal law states if a short break is taken (5-20 minutes), it should be a paid break. A longer "lunch" break (typically 30 minutes) can be unpaid if it is an uninterrupted break where no work or disturbances occur.
Texas follows federal guides and has no specific rules regarding it.
I am supposed to get 2 15 minute paid breaks in a shift and a 30 minute unpaid/uninterrupted lunch break. I don't think I ever get an actual 15 minute break at one time, but if you add up my potty breaks, it may add up to 15 minutes in a day, and I am sure I kind of zone out for a minute or 2 staring at my computer screen a few times a shift, so that is almost a break. Lunch, I actually get a 30 minute uninterrupted lunch about 1 of every 3-4 shifts. If I don't get a lunch, I clock out no lunch and get paid for it (which is the legal thing to do, and if work tells you to do otherwise, they are breaking the law).
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
My workplace requires hourly staff to take two paid 15 minute breaks and one unpaid 30 minute break for shifts that are six hours or longer. This practice is common and perfectly legal.
Julius Seizure
1 Article; 2,282 Posts
No only legal, but the industry standard.