new job.. don't know when to eat

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  • Gska17
    Gska17 Posts: 752 Member
    I'd watch what others do. If no one is actually eating (which strikes me as nuts!) I'd squirrel away small snacks in my purse, locker, whever: string cheeses, small bags of nuts, things you can just shove in & go.
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    Is this for reals?
  • MsJulesRenee
    MsJulesRenee Posts: 1,180 Member
    atypicalsmith wrote: »
    rainbowbow wrote: »
    whmscll wrote: »
    Are you in the UK? In the US the law mandates a 10-minute break after 4 hours of work. Can you cram in a snack of nuts while on a potty break or something?

    Just wanted to chime in... that is not true. It may be for your state, but it is not a "US" law. I have worked 12 hour, 10 hour, and 9 hour shifts with NO break whatsoever. ;)

    There are no US laws that say you have to give employees breaks, lunch hours, or vacation or holiday pay. There may be state laws, but those are usually for full-time employees.

    IL it is a state law to give a 1/2 hr break every 8 (or 7?) hrs worked, 2 hrs for 12 hr shift, even part time employees - even if you don't need a lunch break they make you take it. 15 minute break every 4 hrs is encouraged but not a law. Does not apply for waitresses or bartenders, that I know of, or my past bosses were just not following it. I can't imagine working for 12 hr shift with no break!!! :#:'( Omgosh...I would die.

    I would add something to this but everyone already said what i was thinking...bigger breakfast, milk or coffee/tea to sip on, and eat lunch right when you get out. Maybe bring a power snack for a potty break.
  • atypicalsmith
    atypicalsmith Posts: 2,742 Member
    MsJulesRenee wrote: »
    atypicalsmith wrote: »
    rainbowbow wrote: »
    whmscll wrote: »
    Are you in the UK? In the US the law mandates a 10-minute break after 4 hours of work. Can you cram in a snack of nuts while on a potty break or something?

    Just wanted to chime in... that is not true. It may be for your state, but it is not a "US" law. I have worked 12 hour, 10 hour, and 9 hour shifts with NO break whatsoever. ;)

    There are no US laws that say you have to give employees breaks, lunch hours, or vacation or holiday pay. There may be state laws, but those are usually for full-time employees.

    IL it is a state law to give a 1/2 hr break every 8 (or 7?) hrs worked, 2 hrs for 12 hr shift, even part time employees - even if you don't need a lunch break they make you take it. 15 minute break every 4 hrs is encouraged but not a law. Does not apply for waitresses or bartenders, that I know of, or my past bosses were just not following it. I can't imagine working for 12 hr shift with no break!!! :#:'( Omgosh...I would die.

    I would add something to this but everyone already said what i was thinking...bigger breakfast, milk or coffee/tea to sip on, and eat lunch right when you get out. Maybe bring a power snack for a potty break.

    Which means, even if OP was in Illinois, her five hours does not mandate a break.
  • lemonlionheart
    lemonlionheart Posts: 580 Member
    Thermos full of soup. Sneak-eating :D
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    If your busy, you won't have time to eat. 5 hours isn't that long.
  • gotolam
    gotolam Posts: 262 Member
    ciacyrus29 wrote: »
    Ok. I have gone without eating anything until 2/2:30 but it can be rough. So although you work in an office where most people don't eat while they are eating - that doesn't mean that you can't. If you feel uncomfortable eating a large salad, then bring in healthy snacks that you can munch on. This way, you can curb any cravings you might have. I keep in my desk mini whole wheat bagels and low fat peanut butter, craisins, smart pop popcorn.
    I can understand your reluctance but unless someone has said you can't eat - I'd chomp on at least a snack or I'd have my salad when I was hungry.
    Your employer may say you can't take a break because you're working such a short day but they can't tell you if you're hungry that you can't eat. That's against the law and inhumane.
    So pack healthy snacks and when you get hungry - munch away, drink plenty of water, tea, or coffee. Before you know the day will be over and you can eat a full lunch. But don't make yourself miserable.
    I work at a university and sometimes I don't get to go to lunch until 1:30/2 - I go into my desk, take out my snacks and eat regardless of what everyone else is doing. They aren't me and I have to eat something. I sit out in the main lobby so people see me all day long. But I don't care. I mean I'm not chowing down on a burger or anything, but even if I were - as long as I am doing what they want me to do, I'll do what I need to do in order to get the job done.
    Get your snacks - you'll be o.k.

    We're at the point now where going five hours without food is inhumane? The horror.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    slimandsmiling wrote: »
    Hi .. yes I am in the UK and work in a surgery where it is very busy.. plus I am now more public facing so that makes eating a bit trickier too.. I think I might switch my breakfast food intake for my lunch.. or take a small snack.. or train myself again to not eat between 9am and 2pm:(

    You are entitled to a break

    Not by law until 6 hours and then it's 20 minutes but good working practice would not insist that you don't get a toilet break / 5 minute break

  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,312 Member
    Drink a glass of milk. Or a glass of milk with some protein powder.
    Or eat a handful of nuts.
    Or have a protein bar at work.
    Or have a larger breakfast.
  • slimandsmiling
    slimandsmiling Posts: 85 Member
    hi all, thank you all for your wonderful responses.. I feel totally ready to start and re-group with my eating regime today. I will take some chunk sized bits to work to eat and think the way a to success is mixing things up. I also like the idea of doing a protein shake so will have to investigate that further. In the UK, things are a bit different with rest breaks etc. Years ago when I worked for private medical companies you would get a 10 min. break every 4 hours and generally a 30-60 minute lunch break. You got paid during the 10 min. break but not during your lunch break. Most employees in the UK get a minimum of 4 weeks holiday (pro rota if you are part time).. and most companies will offer a 3 month probation period at the beginning of a job which can be terminated with no explanation with 1 week's notice. After that you tend to give a month's notice. In my last job I could take time to eat during my 5 hours as long as I worked the extra 10-15 minutes it took to eat and added it to the end of my work day, but other colleagues just ate whilst working. I work in a Doctor's Surgery (medical centre).. I hope that helps all you lovely MFP friends across the pond get a pic. of my work environment .. may today be a blessing to us all and a day of knowing we are not taking this new life journey alone.. you are all great xxx
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