So I work at a fast-casual restaurant. My manager frequently tells us to clock out for 15-30 minute breaks to save labor. This usually happens between lunch and dinner or after the dinner rush. The problem is that I don’t have time to go home so I usually end up sitting in the store or in the parking lot anyway. (Our manager never says we HAVE to stay on the premises but if it gets busy and I’m not there then I’m basically fucking over my other coworkers since we only work with max 4 people).
What really upsets me is that sometimes after clocking out, we experience a huge rush and labor is back down to where it needs to be, and I feel like I clocked out for no reason and I was just not getting paid even though I technically had to be there anyway.
I live In Colorado and to my understanding we should be getting paid for at least one of those breaks (shifts are usually 4-6 hours at a time), and it seems unfair that I have to be available to work but I’m not getting paid for it. I also can get in trouble for not telling other people to clock out and take breaks since I’m technically a supervisor, but I feel horrible telling other people to do that.
I know some people that take unpaid breaks at other food places but this is the only food job I’ve ever had so I don’t know if I’m just being dramatic or if it’s normal.