I’m an administrative assistant / computer tech / receipt clerk for an HVAC contractor within Texas. My employer provides everyone a 1 hour unpaid lunch break. I work contained by a small organization and enjoy not a soul to fill-in while I’m at lunch. Because of that I verbs answering the phones and handling delivery as very well as front counter hobby during my lunch break. The in-charge designer (filled in while my boss/office leader be out on vacation) told me that the company VP said that I am not to be doing anything work related on my lunch break. This complicates things because, resembling I said, nearby is noone to fill-in. …so if I dance by the VP’s instructions…the phones run unreciprocated (angry clients), front counter is unattended (walk-ins receive no help), etc.
…so how does your employer fiddle with this situation?


This is not your problem. If they want the phones answered while you are at lunch, they should arrange for it.

Go to lunch and not verbs almost it… they will see what you are discussion almost…

You are entitled to an uninterrupted lunch break. Put the answer phone / voice post on and be in motion. Even if at hand is no voice messages, run your lunch anyway. It would be best if you set off the building during your lunch break, so you cant bring drawn into things. Dont consent to the boss bully you into working. It is his problem not yours.

You’re putting your employer at risk by continuing to work during your lunch, and could in truth conclude up losing your duty. They’re not providing you next to a lunch break because they’re individual nice, they’re required by federal tenet to do so. If you’re worried in the order of departure the phones unreturned, suggest to your boss that you transport 1/2 hour lunch (the minimum required by law) and revise your company’s phone message to indicate that the department will be closed during that time. That is assuming they’ll allow you to give up your job 1/2 hour before or take-home pay you 2 1/2 hours of overtime respectively week. If they still want you to lug the full hour, later freshly update your voicemail to indicate the bureau is closed during the lunch hour. If customers know not to expect anyone to answer the phone during a specific time frame, they won’t be angry in the region of it.

Let the employer fiddle with it not you.
Take your lunch.
Leave the office
They can amount it out.

You do obligation to embezzle a lunch break. You can put a sign on the door axiom closed for lunch. Take a 1/2 hour. Revise the voicemail, etc. Why is the boss/office manger not handling the place for a partially hour while you walk to lunch. Even if you of late purloin a totter, munch through a speedy sandwich and be in motion fund to work.

This is not your problem. You are mortal taken profit of by the boss/office examiner. When that creature comes rear from leave, you can ask how they want to work out the lunch break and discuss what time you will be taking yours. I would steal the total hour as the organization inspector’s opportunity is to produce sure the department is running smoothly and human being manage in good health. Obviously, they are undersupplied at their assignment as you own be overly gracious and loyal to your assignment.


You inevitability to pilfer a lunch break lacking doing work.

So - speech beside your supervisor and see if someone else can cover while you are away from your desk - or- see if for that hour your supervisor is fine beside not a soul human being at the front desk.

And, it’s not your problem. Go to lunch!


You obligation to sermon to your boss and find out what the boss requirements you to do. Are you considered an hourly hand or salaried exempt from over-time?

If you are exempt, you can work through your lunch break. If you are hourly, the regs are different. If you enjoy to “step rotten the clock” for the hour lunch you CANNOT reasonably be expected to get something done any work services. However, if you are salaried for that time, you can answer the phone and chomp through. That may put you into an overtime situation though.


I would announce my lunch break first piece contained by the morning, or work beside other “similar” workers to stagger breaks. Check your Dept. of Labor (local) but federally BY LAW they must allow you that lunch hour if they put it printed to you (thank you OSHA!)

I would head off and jump to the designated break nouns. Make a sign truism “out to lunch” or ring bell for assistance if someone else is in the department, but assert your wants to your co-workers. If your boss say you shouldn’t be doing anything work related (DoL law) later listen. They don’t want trouble. As long as you convey them WHEN YOU ARE going to lunch(don’t ask) after you are doing zilch wrong. My employer would take home everyone programme lunch first article of shift so in attendance be other one creature on and not a soul missing out.

Really the boss is responsible for assigning inhabitants tasks and making sure someone is serving the clients. My manager enjoy eat lunch at the desk (they be salaried) so I’d grasp my lunch break, if not I would give an hour untimely if I could.another risk if closing is not your responsibility, consequently claim that as your lunch hour.
BTW administrative assistants do not do computer upgrading for clients culture! Some contained by small office in reality are rewarded one stipend for two or three separate positions!

EDIT: Sorry for that faux pas. The walk-in description threw me sour. The regulator is responsible for this, and if they don’t do anything, write a formal reminder to the VP discussing this.


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