Started working last month at a new job. Usually have shifts that last 4 hours, I have never been offered a 10 min break. Had a 6 hour shift last week and was never offered either a 10 min or 30 min meal break.
Well tonight I worked another 6 hour shift and decided to actually ask for them. My phone began to die (need to use phone for work purposes) so I asked if I could have a 10 min while I waited for it to charge. My shift lead was like “yeah ok”. Then less than 5 mins later she comes up and asks if my phone is charged. I said yes but I’m still on my 10 minute break, she looked puzzled and then I said I’m working a 6 hr shift. Then just walked away and muttered “ok” under her breath.
It started to reach the end of my shift and I realized it was 30 mins away from when I’m supposed to clock out. I went up to the shift lead and said “hey I’m just going to clock out early since I wasn’t given my 30 min meal break”. She look very puzzled again and said “oh ummm I don’t think -company name- does that” I then responded with “Oh well it’s more of a California labor law thing not a company thing”. She responded with “Oh are you sure you can’t work anymore?” I said no and clocked out.
Am I owed penalties for every-time they failed to give me my 10 min break on my 4 hr shifts and meal breaks on my 6 hr shift? Seems strange that a shift lead doesn’t plan out breaks as every job I’ve ever worked at does it and I’ve never had to ask for a break as they were always planned.