Total Service Disruption today?

[Operational needs]

That's kind of ridiculous. An hour early is crazy. Unless there are tons of extra people to take all that work, then there is no way to finish.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the purpose of a break supposed to be for US and not for FedEx to make some random report. You know, so we can rest and eat?

 

[dezguy]

I don't know about everyone else but when I'm on break, I want nothing to do with FedEx.

No, I'm not hanging out in the break room. No, I'm not answering questions a customer has who happens to see me at the restaurant.

It's my time and I get as far from FedEx as I can. The only part of FedEx in my life at that time is the stupid uniform I'm in and knowing where I parked their truck.

 

[Operational needs]

I don't know about everyone else but when I'm on break, I want nothing to do with FedEx.

No, I'm not hanging out in the break room. No, I'm not answering questions a customer has who happens to see me at the restaurant.

It's my time and I get as far from FedEx as I can. The only part of FedEx in my life at that time is the stupid uniform I'm in and knowing where I parked their truck.

I agree 100%. I usually try to hide. Lol.

 

[oldngray]

I agree 100%. I usually try to hide. Lol.

Didn't you know answering customers questions is part of your job?

Even when its about USPS?

 

[dezguy]

Didn't you know answering customers questions is part of your job?

Even when its about USPS?

Hey have you heard FedEx and UPS are merging? They're going to be called FedUp. Her her deeeeeerrrrr. I'm so funny.

 

[MassWineGuy]

In Massachusetts a break needs to be away from the work place. If possible.

 

[MassWineGuy]

Hey have you heard FedEx and UPS are merging? They're going to be called FedUp. Her her deeeeeerrrrr. I'm so funny.

I don’t think I’ve heard that one for the past 10 minutes.

 

[vantexan]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the purpose of a break supposed to be for US and not for FedEx to make some random report. You know, so we can rest and eat?

On a regular day you're supposed to get a break in the middle of the day. At one station I always took an hour lunch at midday. Then they eliminated a rt and spread it amongst the rest of the loop. From there until transfer got a half hr starting anywhere from 1630 to as late as 1720. Had to make service. They really don't care if we don't like it as long as it works for them.

 

[Cactus]

On a regular day you're supposed to get a break in the middle of the day. At one station I always took an hour lunch at midday. Then they eliminated a rt and spread it amongst the rest of the loop. From there until transfer got a half hr starting anywhere from 1630 to as late as 1720. Had to make service. They really don't care if we don't like it as long as it works for them.

I say friend them. Upper management only cares about protecting their own asses, numbers and the bottom line. That said, take your lunch mid shift and the lates become their problem as they should be.

 

[Oldfart]

On a regular day you're supposed to get a break in the middle of the day. At one station I always took an hour lunch at midday. Then they eliminated a rt and spread it amongst the rest of the loop. From there until transfer got a half hr starting anywhere from 1630 to as late as 1720. Had to make service. They really don't care if we don't like it as long as it works for them.

Those darn managers

 

[Oldfart]

I don't know about everyone else but when I'm on break, I want nothing to do with FedEx.

No, I'm not hanging out in the break room. No, I'm not answering questions a customer has who happens to see me at the restaurant.

It's my time and I get as far from FedEx as I can. The only part of FedEx in my life at that time is the stupid uniform I'm in and knowing where I parked their truck.

Have a customer request a delivery while you are at a restaurant eating lunch and the company has to pay you for your lunch break. Have done it a few times. Easy money.

 

[59 Dano]

Negative. In the districts I worked (Western Region) HR backs mandated breaks after the first hour. An employee took it to corporate HR and was told that management can in fact require breaks during flight delays. I'm speaking specfically about 30-60 minute meal breaks. I am 100% sure this is correct.

It's not. Corporate HR sided with management - shocking.

There's a reason why management usually won't outright demand that people to take a "I told you to come in now, but the freight is late so kindly wait on it for free" break. They urge. They ask. They beg. They do everything short of ordering it because they'd have to issue discipline to an employee who refused and the discipline wouldn't withstand a GFT and would, if someone wanted to make that big an issue of it, be subject to litigation and/or an intervention of the respective labor board(s).

 

[59 Dano]

I'm in Cali and never have been reprimanded for not going on break while waiting for freight. California meal break law also requires an uninterrupted 30 min break. That means if you have to travel outside the workplace to get food, that time is to be paid. We have a code 43 for a reason and you can not be reprimanded for using it.

That is correct in any state, as far as the 43 for waiting on freight goes. No different than a factory production worker being forced to wait off the clock for a machine to be repaired.

Ditto for waiting on a tow truck/shuttle when your truck breaks down or gets stuck.

 

[59 Dano]

Management can set the break. It actually seems odd to me to think that those tasked with running the business could NOT make those business decisions.

I'm not sure where else people have worked, but managers usually schedule breaks for non-exempt employees. They tell you when and how long to go on break.

Know how they go about this? They put it on the SCHEDULE.

Some of this is on the Senior too. Some are fine with staying in a 43, but others want the break if there will be a delay over 30 minutes. If there was a known delay greater than 30 minutes, then why not take a break if you have a full load of deliveries and pups? To me it would make on-road easier when the time has been crunched by 1-2+ hours.

Great, then you can take your break during the delay if you wish. That's up to you. It's not the job of the employee to sacrifice his pay after showing up as scheduled when the freight doesn't show up as scheduled.

 

[Maui]

It's not. Corporate HR sided with management - shocking.

There's a reason why management usually won't outright demand that people to take a "I told you to come in now, but the freight is late so kindly wait on it for free" break. They urge. They ask. They beg. They do everything short of ordering it because they'd have to issue discipline to an employee who refused and the discipline wouldn't withstand a GFT and would, if someone wanted to make that big an issue of it, be subject to litigation and/or an intervention of the respective labor board(s).

There is guidance from Corporate HR that this is correct. It is 100% correct and a GFT would stand on current policy. Could it get overturned on Step 3? Possibly, but that would also mean a rewrite of corporate communication and policy.

 

[Maui]

I'm in Cali and never have been reprimanded for not going on break while waiting for freight. California meal break law also requires an uninterrupted 30 min break. That means if you have to travel outside the workplace to get food, that time is to be paid. We have a code 43 for a reason and you can not be reprimanded for using it.

I managed in CA and this never happened. Here is the requisite information from the Division of Labor Standards:
Q. What are the basic requirements for meal periods under California law?

A. Under California law (IWC Orders and Labor Code Section 512), employees must be provided with no less than a thirty-minute meal period when the work period is more than five hours (more than six hours for employees in the motion picture industry covered by IWC Order 12-2001).Unless the employee is relieved of all duty during the entire thirty-minute meal period and is free to leave the employer's premises, the meal period shall be considered "on duty," counted as hours worked, and paid for at the employee's regular rate of pay.

A 30 minute uninterrupted unpaid break would absolutely satisfy these requirements. It would be problematic to pay an employee for driving in a personal vehicle to go take a break. No employer would take on that kind of liability. It is common for folks to take 30 minute lunches and leave the worksite.

 

[Maui]

Know how they go about this? They put it on the SCHEDULE.



Great, then you can take your break during the delay if you wish. That's up to you. It's not the job of the employee to sacrifice his pay after showing up as scheduled when the freight doesn't show up as scheduled.

And those schedules change everywhere due to sick calls and other operational challenges. Management can and does still require breaks and mandates when they will be taken.

It's not about sacrificing pay. It is taking required breaks. Employees have to take breaks per policy (or law).

 

[Maui]

because I'm human? The purpose of a break is to have a break when you are in the middle of work, not when you are still mostly-rested.

I agree with this. However, it does not prevent management from requiring breaks at a given time.

 

[MAKAVELI]

I managed in CA and this never happened. Here is the requisite information from the Division of Labor Standards:
Q. What are the basic requirements for meal periods under California law?

A. Under California law (IWC Orders and Labor Code Section 512), employees must be provided with no less than a thirty-minute meal period when the work period is more than five hours (more than six hours for employees in the motion picture industry covered by IWC Order 12-2001).Unless the employee is relieved of all duty during the entire thirty-minute meal period and is free to leave the employer's premises, the meal period shall be considered "on duty," counted as hours worked, and paid for at the employee's regular rate of pay.

A 30 minute uninterrupted unpaid break would absolutely satisfy these requirements. It would be problematic to pay an employee for driving in a personal vehicle to go take a break. No employer would take on that kind of liability. It is common for folks to take 30 minute lunches and leave the worksite.

Who said anything about taking a personal vehicle?

 

[Maui]

Who said anything about taking a personal vehicle?

You said leave the station. If management says we're Starting the belt and have 75 minutes of work. We expect a 45 minute delay until the remainder of the freight arrives. We will stop the belt and everyone will take a 30 minute break.

At that point you are relieved from duty and on break. You may not perform work, which would include using a company vehicle. If you choose to leave you have to get your own transport. Using a company vehicle would not be an option.