Thanks for the helpful suggestions!

I wouldn’t resort to name calling, but it does feel like a lot of people aren’t considering why someone might have this stance. Many brought the same ideology in equally confusing ways, and that’s just not productive.

Comparing disagreement to a “lack of emotional maturity”—especially on a post that has unfortunately shifted almost entirely to opinions—is missing the point. Passing judgement and biases off as fact is not the same as an opinion on the subject matter, it’s not helpful, and not part of this disagreement. As far as I’m concerned, insulting someone for disagreeing is more of “a lack of emotional maturity” than posting your opinion in the first place.

That lunch break is to allow you to continue working effectively. I have always felt that it’s a part of work, and not the same as time off. Also, most employers that have unpaid lunches expect you to work 8.5 hours and get paid for 8, which—in my mind—is expecting overtime for allowing you to do something that is necessary for health and well-being.

You are still bringing up commuting. Commuting is NOT comparable to unpaid lunches. Why? Commuting is NOT regulated the same (or at all for that matter). Why? I don’t know, but that’s a completely different discussion!

“This isn’t some metaphysical shit, chief”? No, it’s not. As I stated time and time again, It’s a belief that I’m trying to logically explain and advocate for. I need to organize my thoughts better—that’s all part of evolution and change—but I’m NOT trying to get paid for commuting, or not working, or “taking a trip to Maine” (and whatever mudslide arguments you are making). I’m only trying to explain my viewpoint, and then I’d like to turn those ideas into law if possible. You seem deeply invested in dismantling my logic, so do it. That’s all part of the process, no?

Pleasing people like me? That phrase is meaningless. I’m asking for advice on how to advocate for labor regulations that I believe in, and you’re calling me hopeless. What do you want me to say? It’s hypocritical.

For those of us that work on location, lunch breaks force us to take lunch in an area that is not our homes. It’s not free time, it’s “eat lunch near work because it is required by law” time.

That second part seems like a violation—especially if you got in an accident—but, I unfortunately do not have enough information to know for certain.

This is the part that bothers me. I’m of the opinion that dedicating 8.5 hours to work—regardless of how that time is spent—should be fully compensated. That extra half hour would also qualify for overtime if lunches were paid, so employers would probably shift back to the standard “9 to 5” model.

Ah, a very interesting point. Thank you for the insight, because I definitely will have to research that.

Yes, I wanted to hear advice about how to advocate for something I feel strongly about. You continue insult my intelligence, but I’ve made my intention and my stance well known at this point. You wouldn’t insult me if you didn’t want to elicit some kind of response, but I do not know what you were hoping to gain from spamming me with contrary opinions, giving me actual advice, and then senselessly bashing me with childish criticism. I’m left partially baffled by all this confusion and negativity, but with the same opinion I’ve had since the beginning.

“You can’t have both” is not a law. Also, people need to stop comparing a commute to paid lunches. Those are entirely different situations, and I’m clearly discussing paid lunches at this time.

It’s not “sitting around,” eating lunch is a basic right. I know you COULD fast for eight or more hours, but that’s also not a reason to comply with anything. And as I said before, it’s not free time, and you can’t spend it how you choose. You are bound to the location you work. It’s not the same as having time at the beginning or end of a shift.

Thank you for the helpful information!

Okay? What’s your point?

Thanks? I don’t even know what to say because that last part was all you had to say.

Thanks for all the laughs and hypocrisy along the way.

I just don’t get how you don’t understand that two physical locations are not the same. By being in one location because you have to be is not the same as being somewhere else because you want to be.

Thank you, I misquoted. The post has been edited.

I keep saying this, but getting a different job isn’t always an option. It’s also not an effective strategy for change.

I’m not being “petulant,” I’m asking for advice and receiving surprisingly opinionated responses that aren’t actually helpful or related to the original question. And, I’m not interested in working with anyone that isn’t helpful in this context. That’s a choice I’m making. Feel free to disagree with it.

No, you don’t understand that freedom bound to your work location IS NOT the same as freedom outside of work hours. That is simply a fact, and it is not debatable. Any argument against that is illogical. It is literally a different location, and you are bound to how far you can travel—using your own gas or physical energy—within the amount of break time allotted. It’s not a “pissy fit” (fun typo), but actually a difference very much rooted in reality.

It’s not the same as free time. You are bound to the location you work out, and can only travel—using your own gas or physical energy—as far as your break allows. That’s the bottom line. I believe it’s not the same, and therefore should be compensated.

“Some hot idea”? I’m asking how I go about effectively advocating for change. If you don’t care about this—either because it doesn’t apply to your experience, or you don’t agree—then that’s your decision. But, you’re not going to sway me. I believe that employees—especially those with hourly wages—should get paid more. And lunch is not the same as free time. It’s built into work because it keeps employees working effectively (and safely)—especially manual laborers—and is time that aught to be compensated.

That is true, but I still feel that it’s work-related time and not the same as free time.

This comment is unhelpful, and “everyone has that privilege” is an incredibly privileged thing to say. Oh, and what I just said is not a compliment.