Whoever invented the lunch and learn

wooh, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2012

I'll lunch and learn, but if I don't get a separate work free break, I'm putting a no lunch on my time sheet. :)

MJB2010 · Feb 25, 2012

Well, our hospital didn't even provide us with a free meal. We were suppose to get our lunch and then attend the "lunch and learn." Don't think so.

That is even more ridiculous than I thought possible! At ours we usually get cafeteria sandwiches that have been left out for several hours, but they are free. So its crappy free lunch. And they always go over on time and act all offended when you have to leave. It is like torture.

mindlor · Feb 25, 2012

Should get a swift kick in the rear. I find it so irritating that the ONLY break I get if I even get one has to be spent on a lunch and learn. If there is info I need to know for my job, they should do it during work hours, not on MY time. I need a break! Anyone with me on this? No it is not "mandatory" technically, but it is a new device we will be using and I do need to know how to use it. So I really had to go.

This is covered by the FLSA, Federal Law, here is an informative link.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs53.htm

A lunch and learn, even if voluntary would be considered time worked and they would owe you compensation for attending. Nurses all over the counry are suing facilities and winning back pay going back up to three years.

Dont be a sucker, take your breaks and hold your employers accountable. Do not be afraid to seek legal counsel and do not be afraid to unionize.

A nurse that is not rested is prone to make mistakes, mayve dangerous, fatal ones.....

prmenrs, RN · Feb 25, 2012

You have grounds for a formal complaint w/the Department of Labor. Check out the above link. I googled "mandatory rest breaks and got a lot of stuff: they don't HAVE to give you a lunch break, UNLESS.... Meal and Rest Breaks: Your Rights as an Employee | Nolo.com If you get a break, and you have to work thru it, they must pay you. Some states do require them: U.S. Department of Labor-Wage and Hour Division (WHD)-Minimum Length of Meal Period Required Under State Law For Adult Employees in Private Sector1/ January 1, 2008 .

Find out what's required in your state, bring it, in writing, to management. One hospital I know of had to pay a fine and a BUNCH of backpay for not getting people out on breaks. Changed their tune but quick! Now managers are running around during lunch time pestering people to take their breaks!

Good luck!

MJB2010 · Feb 25, 2012

This is covered by the FLSA, Federal Law, here is an informative link.
U.S. Department of Labor - Wage and Hour Division (WHD) - Fact Sheet
A lunch and learn, even if voluntary would be considered time worked and they would owe you compensation for attending. Nurses all over the counry are suing facilities and winning back pay going back up to three years.
Dont be a sucker, take your breaks and hold your employers accountable. Do not be afraid to seek legal counsel and do not be afraid to unionize.
A nurse that is not rested is prone to make mistakes, mayve dangerous, fatal ones.....

I live in the South. Union is a dirty word here and if uttered, gets your fired. The truth is, they do not fire you for saying union per se. They find another reason and no one wants that target on their back. No one is perfect and no one wants to be watched and scrutinized to that degree. If you so much as say it, they will find a way to get rid of you. And the truth is, very few people have the time or resources to fight a system that is so broken. I need my job and I need to pay my bills. So while in theory it is good to say unionize and fight for your rights, the reality of the situation is this - it would just get you fired and in a long legal battle.

MJB2010 · Feb 25, 2012

Even worse is "Potty training". Training posted in the bathroom for crying out loud. Can't even pee without thinking about the job.

Lol I hate these too!

MJB2010 · Feb 25, 2012

for ours they take over the breakroom and they even go so far as to chase you down all day while you are working to remind you. The only other option is to hide!

At my workplace, a lunch and learn is different from a mandatory education session. Lunch and learns are optional and for education purposes. The sessions are held off the nursing unit and all disciplines are invited to attend, sometimes lunch is provided. Whereas, a mandatory education session is not optional and is usually held to provide instruction about a new device or system, the mandatory sessions are held on the unit, during working hours.

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Feb 25, 2012

I live in the South. Union is a dirty word here and if uttered, gets your fired. So while in theory it is good to say unionize and fight for your rights, the reality of the situation is this - it would just get you fired and in a long legal battle.

Dear Union Reps past, present and future who fought so hard for the benefits and rights I currently enjoy:

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

lockheart678 · Feb 25, 2012

It would be impossible for my department to ever go, so we don't have to worry about those. Our hospital has really been pushing to make sure everyone gets their 30 minutes of uninterrupted time though. That never stops them from calling me while I'm on my time because we've got a new employee who doesn't know how to order blood though. I also see one girl who gets bugged by reps her entire 30 minutes all the time. She even tells them she's eating and doesn't want to be bugged and they still don't leave her alone! That is ridiculous.

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2012

I live in the South. Union is a dirty word here and if uttered, gets your fired. The truth is, they do not fire you for saying union per se. They find another reason and no one wants that target on their back. No one is perfect and no one wants to be watched and scrutinized to that degree. If you so much as say it, they will find a way to get rid of you. And the truth is, very few people have the time or resources to fight a system that is so broken. I need my job and I need to pay my bills. So while in theory it is good to say unionize and fight for your rights, the reality of the situation is this - it would just get you fired and in a long legal battle.

I work in a unionized environment and do not face the same pressure as you. If I were working in an environment that was violating labor laws, I would print off the law, highlight the part about training and seminars and anonymously post it in the break room. I would then start asking my employer, (in a puzzled, sort of way, so they could not interpret me as being hostile) how come they require employees to attend mandatory training on their lunch breaks, when it is against the law?

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Feb 25, 2012

This is covered by the FLSA, Federal Law, here is an informative link.
U.S. Department of Labor - Wage and Hour Division (WHD) - Fact Sheet
A lunch and learn, even if voluntary would be considered time worked and they would owe you compensation for attending. Nurses all over the counry are suing facilities and winning back pay going back up to three years.
Dont be a sucker, take your breaks and hold your employers accountable. Do not be afraid to seek legal counsel and do not be afraid to unionize.
A nurse that is not rested is prone to make mistakes, mayve dangerous, fatal ones.....

Thanks! Good to know!

Lynx25, LPN · Feb 25, 2012

We aren't allowed to be interrupted on our lunches and have a sign on the door reminding people before they barge in. If we get interrupted we get to start over

What?! WHAT?!! If this is true, this is amazing.

Our 'breakroom' in this LTC is right off the floor. Corporate decided that we were screwing around too much, and TOOK AWAY OUR BREAKROOM DOOR! The patients and family are free to just roll in and make their demands.

I'm not shy about telling them to leave until I come out, but usually they don't listen and continue believing they must be that one special case that I care about while I'm on break.