I live in Washington state where employers are required to provide employees with meal breaks and ensure the breaks follow the law. In addition, employees may waive their meal breaks so long as they are either allowed to leave early or paid for the extra half hour worked.
I have requested to waive my meal break the last two days with a bit of friction from my bosses. However, today they stated they 'did not want to make a habit of it' and that I have to take my lunch today, making me believe this was the end of skipping lunches. They want my department all working together, starting, breaking, and leaving together. This is rediculous though, as two of the four of us arrive an hour early each day, one of which doesnt work fridays.
So I had it today and made my own meal break waiver, stating that WAC 296-126-092, and the Supreme Court's decision on Brady v. AutoZone Stores, Inc. gives me a legal right to refuse my meal break in exchange for leaving early.
I'll be submitting the waiver tomorrow, wish me luck on exercising my rights.