TLDR: the manager at the restaurant I work at started scheduling 10-hour shifts with no notice where we get no breaks. My coworkers are all cool with it but I definitely am not.
So, I’m a server. At the company I work at, when bartenders work 8 hours they get a break and a meal. In the almost year I’ve been working there, I have never gotten a break. According to them, “it’s just not practical.” I worked 11.5 hours on thanksgiving (I was supposed to work 8) with no break and it was the busiest I’ve ever been. I expressed concerns, got dismissed, and they moved on.
Recently, I saw that my in-time was 12:30 pm. That’s odd because the restaurants I work at are only open for dinner, so I never go in before 3:00 (rarely) but usually 4:00 or 5:00. I also noticed it was an 8-hour shift. Abnormal because of the lack of breaks so I’m usually only there about 5 hours. I texted my manager and asked if we were now open for lunch to which she said, “Yeah, and there’s no server to relieve you, so we’ll try to cut you at 8:30, but if we’re busy it’s not possible.” The restaurant is open until 10:00 and after side work (assuming I don’t get a table at 9:55), no one leaves until 11:00 or 12:00. That’s a potential 12 hour shift!
When I worked the shift, my manager was pretty rude when I asked if I could be cut. I told another manager I was ready for my break, and I overheard them saying that I only qualify for a break if I’m there longer than what I’m scheduled. Shortly after, she asked what I wanted to eat (without telling me I wouldn’t be cut on time). As she handed me my food, she says, “See you in 15 minutes!” What?? In my state, by law I am entitled to a 30 minute break if I work more than 5 hours.
I asked my coworkers in a group chat we have if they’re okay with it, assuming they wouldn’t be after the conversations we’d had in person. They said things like, “It’s fine as long as I get food!” and “I don’t mind it as long as I don’t have to do side work!” I felt kind of gaslit tbh because this is NOT normal or even legal!
One of the cooks and one of the managers have both made comments along the lines of, “Well, welcome to the real world!” I am young (22), but this is not my first job or my first time working 10+ hour shifts. The difference? I was asked before I did them, and I was given breaks!
I’ve considered going to HR but I don’t want to stir the pot as everyone else seems to be fine with it, and they give me a ton of time off whenever I request it. What do I do??