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I work at a gas station in Iowa. My boss tells me we aren't allowed breaks...no lunch or anything. I regularly work 8-9 hour shifts with only 3 five minute breaks. I've brought the subject up to my store manager and she says our company doesn't allow lunch breaks. I used to be a manager of a retail store in Illinois and this is totally different than what I've learned from previous experiences. I was wondering if there were different labor laws between retail and gas stations...and if so. What are the labor laws surrounding breaks and such? I'm afraid of bringing the subject up to my boss in case she terminates me.

Submitted: 374 days and 22 hours ago.
Category: Employment Law
Value: $9
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION

Answer

Actually, there is no LEGAL requirement that your boss allow you to have a lunch break or any other kind of break. However, if you are actually working for more than eight hours (and you indicate that you regularly work more than eight hours) then you are entitled to overtime for anything over eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a week.

 

I would recommend that you contact your local bar association’s lawyer referral service (they all have them) to locate a lawyer who practices employment law in your state, since there may be state or local laws that affect your situation, as well as differences in your state’s law that might affect your claims.

If you want to follow up, please identify your questions in the subject line as being for “Counselor.” Although it’s not required by any means, a bonus (tip) is always appreciated if you find the answer helpful. I would also appreciate any feedback you can give me to improve the quality of my answers.

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Answered: 11/14/2008

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