I work at a Rite Aid, and we recently had a big problem with one employee who would use the bathroom at least four times for 15 minutes each on a six-hour shift. This led my manager to make the statement that “I don’t have to let you go to the bathroom!” Clearly the employee was going to excess, but… ?
I seem to recall that a few years ago the Supreme Court ruled that teachers don’t have to allow students to use the bathroom during class.
Help?
I’d guess this is what you’re thinking of: Court: No right to bathroom break
How much break time an employee is entitled to varies according to state. However, according to federal law, employees are not entitled to any breaks, according to this: http://www.gcmgroup.com/WageandHourMyths.htm
I would say that FOUR 15 minute breaks in six hours is excessive, and that the employee is probably abusing break time. Just what was this person DOING in the bathroom? Smoking? Jerking off? Or just doing a little relaxing?
In New York State, we’re allowed (for an eight-hour shift) one 30-minute and two 10-minute breaks. He was in the bathroom above and beyong his one twenty-minute break on a six-hour shift. I’m just curious whether the bathroom counts against the breaktime (I, personally, think it’s stupid to count it as a break).
Incidentally, we’re also not allowed smoke breaks, but I think that’s slightly different. (Yes, we know… there’s no reason to hijack.)