Meal and Rest Violation Lawyer

In many states, people who work for a few hours are entitled to a break for rest. They are also entitled to a meal break if they work more than a specified number of hours.

If your employer does not allow you to take breaks or pay you extra for missing them, talk to a meal and rest violation lawyer. You could be entitled to back pay, overtime pay, and your employer could owe penalties.

There are laws in place to protect you, and when your employer violates them, you can hold them accountable. Speak with one of our seasoned wage and hour attorneys at The Lore Law Firm to learn about your legal options.

State Law Governs Mandatory Breaks

The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governs minimum wage, overtime, and similar issues. It does not require employers to provide their workers with breaks.

Some states have laws that mandate breaks. For example, in California, workers get a paid 30-minute break for meals when they have worked for five consecutive hours and a ten-minute paid break when they have worked for four hours. Other states have different requirements.

If you are concerned that you are not getting breaks, are not being paid for breaks when you should be, or have other questions, contact our meal and rest violation attorneys. They can explain the law in your state and suggest ways to respond to an employer’s violation.

What to Do If You Are Not Getting Your Breaks

When your employer is not giving you meal time or rest breaks, your options depend on the state you live in and the promises your employer made. One of our knowledgeable meal and rest violation attorneys can provide information regarding the law in your state and assistance regarding how to handle the situation.

When your state law calls for breaks, and your employer is not complying, you could make a report to the state agency that handles workers’ rights. Your employer could face administrative action, including fines and a promise to provide breaks going forward. The employer might owe backpay and possibly overtime pay to workers who were denied breaks. You may also want to contact private meal and rest violation attorneys, who are typically able to pursue claims more promptly and will provide representation on a contingent fee basis.

Break Violations May Indicate Other Problems

An employer that does not provide required breaks often cuts corners in other areas. It is important to discuss your situation with an experienced workers’ rights attorney to determine whether other issues are of concern.

Sometimes, an employer provides a break but does not apply break time to time worked when determining overtime eligibility. This is wage theft. Your workday for overtime purposes includes rest breaks of up to 20 minutes, although it does not include meal breaks. State law may impose stricter requirements.

A lawyer familiar with workers’ rights issues will know what questions to ask to determine whether your employer is taking advantage of you and other workers. You may have grounds to file a complaint or even a lawsuit alleging wage theft.

Reach Out to Our Meal and Rest Violation Attorneys When You Have Questions About Breaks

Employment law is complicated and varies between states. It can be difficult to determine whether your employer is violating the law.

If you have questions about breaks at work, contact a meal and rest violation lawyer at The Lore Law Firm for a free and confidential review. Our attorneys are happy to provide information regarding the law in your jurisdiction. Contact us today.