A: Not only is this unfair but it sounds like it could be illegal. In Massachusetts, employers must provide a 30-minute meal break when an employee works six consecutive hours in a single shift. Assuming you are full time, you should be given a 30-minute meal break during your work day. The 30-minute meal break cannot be broken up into smaller chunks of time (e.g. two 15-minute breaks) and still comply with the law.

Q: I’m a recent college graduate who started a new job recently. During my interview, I was told that hard work, being flexible, and having a good attitude were important. I am trying hard to do all of this. I do question one thing though. Others get a lunch hour and are able to do an errand, eat lunch, or make phone calls. I was told that I should spend my lunch hour covering for the receptionist. This doesn’t seem fair.


An employee can voluntarily waive this meal break, but it sounds like you would rather not. In Massachusetts, employers must allow employees to be free of handling work-related tasks and employees must be able to leave the premises during this break. The meal break can be unpaid.

If my assumptions above are true, I would suggest talking to your supervisor. Explain that you are more than willing to help out covering the front desk, but you would still like a true lunch break during the day. Hopefully your supervisor will understand.

You can also explain that it is difficult seeing everyone else leave during the day when you don’t get the same chance. If your supervisor still seems resistant, I would suggest sharing that your understanding is that a 30-minute meal break when working at least six hours a day is the law.


Patricia Hunt Sinacole is president of First Beacon Group in Hopkinton.