No Lunch with non-exempts

I wouldn't think so. The operating theory is probably that a non-exempt's time is his own, while your's belongs to the company. I don't think it will hold water, but is this a hill worth dying on?

I live in California where the rules for breaks & meal breaks are a bit different.

Have you consulted the Oracle?








I mean the Google.

Are you paid for your lunch time? I did work at one place where they did pay for your lunch hour so I know that some places do, however, for most places lunch time is unpaid. If it is unpaid, it is your personal time and I can not imagine that a work place could impose restrictions during your personal time. Also, is this lunch – at a company café or outside? Again if it is outside the company and during your personal time, I can’t see how they could restrict you legally.

A couple of things to consider: is they may be doing this to prevent any sort of harassment type of issues. Even during personal time, if you are with other employees, especially as a manager, you do need to be careful what you say and how you act. Another item, are you restricting any employees from attending lunch? This can be viewed as favoritism – in other words, you are spending quality time with some people reporting, but not all.

Have you taken an HR legal/harassment type of course? Most big companies do so. These types of issues are outlined and explained in these courses. It may be why HR places such restrictions. And seeing that HR advises against this (rather than actually restricts it), my guess is to prevent any inappropriate appearances. It would probably be best for you to follow their advisement.

Welcome to A2K. I agree with Link. It is very easy to fall into traps where a bias is preceived because you always sit with a group at lunch, even if none is intended. Best to steer clear of this pit. Also, you work at the convience of your employer. They don't have to specify a reason to dismiss you. You can legally eat with whoever you want, and they can legally dismiss you for not following abitrary rules. Supervisors who cause employee relations issues find their careers short lived.