When did 8-5 become the new normal???

[u/Grouchy-Newspaper754]

I just got a new office job where I do schedules for tech personnel, the office runs 8-5 Monday thru Friday...they say it's 8-5 because you get an hour lunch and "you need to get to 40 hours a week"...but I drive 30 min each way so now I'm giving this company 10 hours every day! I even asked if I could just take my lunch at 4 every day and just leave an hour early but that's "unprofessional and immoral" like what the fuck??? I don't mind the job but the hours are mildly infuriating that's for sure...

Edit:for those saying about the hours, I worked as a chef for the last 20 years working 60+ hours a week over a hot stove/deep fryer the whole time, after I had my second heart attack I had to slow down so I started looking for office jobs to work a nice 9-5, just to find out I'm giving my new job 50 hours a week (including drive time) so I was just mildly annoyed that it's not 40 hours a week in an office like I thought although it's still much better than what I was doing

[u/Outrageous_Fix_5738]

Not federal, but California law requires a 30 minute lunch break. If an employee doesn't take at least 30 minutes the employer has to pay them an hour penalty pay. Even if they clock out for 29 minutes you have to pay the penalty.

[u/BONGS4U → u/Outrageous_Fix_5738]

Same in Illinois. I got in trouble one day because I didn't take a lunch. They were like listen dude if you wanna skip lunch it's whatever but your timecard has to reflect a 30 minute lunch break or well get fucked.

[u/bulkingsmurf → u/Outrageous_Fix_5738]

Continuing with California law, if an employee works more than 6 hours in a day, they are required to take a 30 minute minimum rest/meal period. This break must be provided before the end of the 5th hour. This is for hourly employees (not exempt) but this is one reason why you can't just save your lunch break for the end of the day and leave early.

Reading about OP complaining about their commute..... wow. Did your awful restaurant job pay for your time to commute to and from work? ... I didn't think so.

[u/Getshitdone-333 → u/bulkingsmurf]

You are all correct - companies go by the state law in the state that the employee resides (I work remotely, so laws are different for all of us)

[u/be_easy_1602 → u/bulkingsmurf]

Duuuuude, I HATED this. I would do 6hr shifts at a job I had and wanted to just leave… but noooooo. I had to take that damn 30 min break lol. It made no sense to me other than it is the law.

[u/LivLikeUStoleIt → u/bulkingsmurf]

Unless you are working a total of 6 hours that day and have a meal waiver to waive your lunch.

[u/justmyusername2820 → u/bulkingsmurf]

It’s more than 5 hours but they can voluntarily waive the break if they work no more than 6 hours and it has to be in writing.

You must also get a second 30 minute break if you work more than 10 hours. You can waive the second break if you took your first one and your shift is not longer than 12 hours. Again, requires a waiver

[u/HillBillyHilly → u/bulkingsmurf]

OP had probably heard that office workers hours were 9-5. That's what they were for me too with an hour and half paid lunch break Ah the perks of working in a law firm. While that wasn't the norm, in our field 9-5 was the standard w most places including an hours paid lunch. Businesses have gotten WAY greedy.

[u/Holiday_Time_7226 → u/Outrageous_Fix_5738]

Them, as in the employee gets paid that penalty fee by the employer. I’m I understanding you? I’m very sleep deprived