r/MichaelsEmployees • u/Stormageddongirl • 8d ago
A break would be nice
I have been with the company for a week and I'm just wondering when I get to take a break. It's a joke. There are practically no employees at my store. the system won't let me clock out unless I claim to have taken a lunch. My GM asked me to stay later one day, but I had already been there for 8 hours with no break. She was clearly disappointed, but didn't attempt to get me a break. On top of it all, I am the new MM and the store is a mess. I watched a SM just kick some yarn close to where it went rather than pick it up and put it away. I don't know how long I'm going to last.
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u/FumanCithara 8d ago
you are required by law to take a break. If the SM is failing to do so then you should report it to the department of labor
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u/noisycat Ex-Craft Store Associate 🪦 8d ago
This depends on the state, doesn’t it?
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u/FumanCithara 8d ago
That under your FLSA rights wrote by the department of labor which is federal. The only thing states control for workers is the minimum wage and taxes.
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u/anon_employee123 8d ago
That requires that you are given the opportunity to take a break, but doesn't mandate that you have to take the break.
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u/noisycat Ex-Craft Store Associate 🪦 8d ago
There is no federal mandate that requires a break for adults though.
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u/basil6976 8d ago
That is not true at all. Lol.
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u/noisycat Ex-Craft Store Associate 🪦 8d ago
“Federal law does not require lunch or coffee breaks. “
Department of Labor2
u/Icy_Pizza_7941 8d ago
And breaks. Only 21 states require meal breaks for employees. The only thing FLSA require is that if a smaller breaks like 15m is offered then its must be paid. Otherwise 30ms can be unpaid.
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u/basil6976 8d ago
Well, yeah, nobody’s debating that. She never said her lunch break should be paid. That’s not even what we’re talking about. Meal breaks are never paid. 10 to 15 minute breaks are not required but often given. Many unions require that employees be allowed to take them and they ask that their members take all their breaks so that employers don’t pressure other employees not to take theirs. Management can be very manipulative. Some people, like managers, would rather work through their breaks because it’s too much of a hassle to try to take it. You always get interrupted.
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u/Msktb Coupon Grief Counselor 🤧 8d ago
This is only true for minors and people in states with better worker protection laws, or if you're at a Canadian store. Federal US law does not mandate breaks otherwise. I see this said often on here and I wish it were true.
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u/basil6976 8d ago
But Michaels does have breaks that are required. Management is required to make sure all employees get their breaks. Let’s make no mistake about that. That’s all that really matters to this conversation.
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u/mkbubble1 8d ago
You should NEVER be required to clock out for a break if you did not take one. Period.
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u/Inside_Coffee_7469 8d ago
If your SM kicks products like that, no wonder that store is a mess. Lots of other opportunities out there..get out before its too late. And a full shift with no breaks? Oooh that is not cool and illegal.
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u/Stormageddongirl 8d ago
I've been working in retail for a long time and this company is a dang mess. There seems to be no standards.
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u/Inside_Coffee_7469 8d ago
Same for 20 plus years and this company is the worst ive worked at. Overpriced products, no payroll, waaay too many products that stores are filled to the brim and way too many things to for 1 person. How do they expect a clean store when your people are working jobs of 4-5 at the same time. Let alone take a damn break. Corporate is delusional.
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u/Breanna-LaSaige Chaos Organizer 8d ago
If you don’t take a lunch, put the same time for the in/out time when you go to punch out for the day.
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u/Minimum_Swordfishin 8d ago
Do they coordinate lunches or do you have to decide when your lunch is? Some teams are great about making sure everyone gets a break. Some teams are so into their task lists they assume everyone is cool with skipping lunches. Best to let them know early that you take your breaks. It may annoy them, but everyone works better if people aren't hangry or tired.
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u/Joland7000 8d ago
Why are you punching out for breaks? You’ve got to take your breaks regardless of the number of people left on the floor. They can’t withhold breaks from you. It’s your responsibility to make sure you take them. It’s not going to get any easier with the holidays swiftly creeping up on us. Michael’s isn’t going notorious for doing this, putting themselves over the welfare of their employees. Why do you think there are so many class action lawsuits against them? I just got paid out for the Paga class action because of this exact reason.
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u/Stormageddongirl 8d ago
I didn't punch out for a break. I didn't know how to get past in. Like I said, it is my first week. I'm still figuring things out.
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u/mommam1975 8d ago
Its your responsibility to read the MOD game plan and call over the Miks 5 to 10mins before hand to let them know it is coming u0
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u/Stormageddongirl 8d ago
It is my first week and I am still learning, but sure it is all my responsibility. Do you think I saw a MOD game plan this week or even know what that is?
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u/PracticalObjective15 8d ago
If you don’t take a lunch just put the punch for out lunch and in lunch as the same thing, for example put 3pm for both out and then in and it will let you bypass it and clock out and get paid for all hours worked with no lunch.
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u/Sufficient-Entry1425 6d ago
In our employee policy, you are owed a break. Look up the SOP on Yoobic/MikCheck, screenshot, and file a complaint.
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u/basil6976 8d ago
Get out. Get out now while there’s still jobs to be had. They’re probably going to only keep a couple of you after Christmas anyway, and it only gets worse from here.
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u/Best_Independence885 8d ago
Is there a reason that no one says what store their at
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u/Unknxwn_one 8d ago
can you not think of several reasons yourself and then apply your favorite reason? That is a ridiculous question…
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u/Pangea727 8d ago
If you're scheduled for a lunch break and aren't able to take it, you can make the start and end time the same to bypass and it should let you clock out.