[CA] Lunch Break and Paid 10 Minute Break Compensation?
Hello I called the Labor board for clarification and a better understanding of the Labor Laws and Employee rights but they were of no hope so hopefully I can get some help in here. Sorry if there is any information that is not clear or I am just stupid.
I was 19 back in April 2023 and got my first job at this popular ice cream parlor where I worked until July 2024. They scheduled everyone for 5 hours and 30 minutes straight everyday (with a paid 10 minute break) but never gave anyone a lunch break. Would I be able to ask for compensation during that time period I worked there? There were also times we worked 6 plus hours without a lunch as well but everyone who works here are teenagers or people with their first job and do not understand their rights (including me).
I also emailed for all personal records from 2023-2024 (paystubs, w2, time-sheets) but have not gotten a response in over 2 and 1/2 weeks. Would I need all those information to make a wage claim? And what happens if they do not provide my personal record?
Another question I had was about the paid 10 minutes everyday breaks. At this workplace we were allowed to grab snacks such as a scoop of ice cream on our break, but they would shaved that time off your break. I saw online that your break does not start until you have reached the rest area and does not start when you are still in the work station. When timed for our breaks it starts the moment we are told to go on our breaks (still at the workstation). Sometimes it can take 2-4 minutes to grab our snacks due to heavy foot traffic (usually 15-20 people working behind a small counter with heavy traffic of customer orders) and lack of opportunity to grab your snack ASAP because if the foot traffic. Would this be a violation of the “net” 10 minute break time period or no?
Thank you guys and have a good day!