I work at a warehouse adjusting and replenishing the company's retail store inventory. I work at a desk.
In regards to me I don't take my unpaid 30min lunch but instead work through the whole 8hr day. My state lets employees waive their right to an unpaid 30min lunch as long as we work in a place that allows for regular breaks and use of bathroom facilities. They won't let me do this bc of concern for “our safety and health” which bs bc they have no issues making us come in during inclement weather while upper management works at home. I've also worked hard manual labor for the past 20yrs so I know when/if I need a break. At this place I definitely don't.
So they respond with a bogus made up on the spot policy. It's laughable how obvious it I that my supervisor wrote it himself.
So I haven't taken my lunchbc again, it's stupid. For the past month or so HR has been taking 30min out of my day every day. So I'm getting 7.5hrs for 8hrs of work.
Do I go to HR and explain again why I don't need to take these stupid unpaid wastes of my personal time or do I just bring the hammer down and go straight to DOL and blow this up? As it stands, I'm owed over 2k and that's not including OT that hasn't been counted bc of the automatic lunch time against my hours. My direct supervisor knows and will voiche to DOL on my behalf that I do in fact work all day.
TL;DR Do I go to DOL for unpaid wages or ask nicely?