Management wanting employees to work during break

Trawr

Member
I have been at UPS for a year and a half, in this time their have been several request for our belt to work through break. I know that we don't have to work through break and that it's a request, even if they didn't mean it as one. The reason that we were requested to work through break, was because we our belt was destroyed. So when break for the rest of the hub is over they hope that we will be half way clean. ( Never happens) They do give us breaks individually but as a picker my break seems to come during wrap up.

I was curious if this is something that happens at all hubs, and what everyone's opinion is.
 

grgrcr88

No It's not green grocer!
Do not skip your break, take it at the same time as every one else and rest and recover for the rest of your shift so you can work safely and efficiently. If you all work through your breaks they will never fix the problem that is causing your belt to get so far behind. Why should they? Your fixing it for them for free.
 

UPSGUY72

Well-Known Member
It's simple don't work on your break. Take your break when everyone else does in your building.

It all has to do with the fact they are trying to get more work out of you in a shorter period of time by speeding the belts up so fast that nobody can keep up. If they started a half hour earlier they could slow the belts down and loaders could actually get the packages in the right car without having to stack out the back of the cars untill they get help.
 

Upser08

Well-Known Member
You union folks are funny! He didn't say he wasn't getting a break, he said it wasn't at the same time as everyone else! There is nothing in the contract that says the entire sort has to break at the same time.
 

UnconTROLLed

perfection
You union folks are funny! He didn't say he wasn't getting a break, he said it wasn't at the same time as everyone else! There is nothing in the contract that says the entire sort has to break at the same time.
I doubt the sort wrapped in under three hours, so you management folks are funny too. And if by a miracle the shift ended in under three hours, I would agree with you.
 

bigblu 2 you

Well-Known Member
You union folks are funny! He didn't say he wasn't getting a break, he said it wasn't at the same time as everyone else! There is nothing in the contract that says the entire sort has to break at the same time.
you management folks are funny,the thread title says mngmnt wanting employees to work during break.
 

menotyou

bella amicizia
You union folks are funny! He didn't say he wasn't getting a break, he said it wasn't at the same time as everyone else! There is nothing in the contract that says the entire sort has to break at the same time.
And does it say they don't?
 

nate4027

Active Member
Why would you want to work during a paid break? It pays the same whether you work or not. An if you do work during a paid break you are allowing yourself less time to finish the sort which equals less hours per day, less hours per week and less money in your pocket. Come on guys you know how this numbers game works! It's all about that number they don't care about you!
 

GayOfThrones

Active Member
Work as directed.

There is nothing in your contract that stipulates all union employees must take break together.

You just described your belt as being "destroyed" so why would you want to take a break only to come back to a ****-storm? Work through it, get caught up and take a break when it's no longer "destroyed".

Union people are not funny......they're selfish.
 

gorilla75jdw

Well-Known Member
you work as directed , and recieve a break after the 1st and before the 3rd hour . The company can do this , anything otherwise would be insubordinate and subject to discipline . As long as the employee recieves a break in those parameters he has no grievance . Move on .
 

UnconTROLLed

perfection
Work as directed.

There is nothing in your contract that stipulates all union employees must take break together.

You just described your belt as being "destroyed" so why would you want to take a break only to come back to a ****-storm? Work through it, get caught up and take a break when it's no longer "destroyed".

Union people are not funny......they're selfish.
Why would anything be "destroyed" within a work area? Is that safe and promoting integrity? So it's the unions fault that the company self destructed itself by pushing out too much volume in a short amount of time to impress shareholders?

Exactly.
 

22.34life

Well-Known Member
look here buddy you gotta follow the same contract as everybody else,and that includes break time language.now for THE op listen up,they can instruct you to work through your break but you are entitled to a 10 minute PAID BREAK BEFORE THE 3RD HOUR AND AFTER THE 1ST HOUR.so if they make you work through the building break ask are you asking me or instructing me,if its the latter than do as they instruct and watch the clock when the 3rd hour comes request your break if they say no than file on it,dont just walk off and take your break like some people on here will tell you, there is a big difference between a 25 year package car driver and a 1 year pt guy,and you will be handled differently.if you do work through your break make sure you are paid your time plus 10 minutes for working break.
 

GayOfThrones

Active Member
Why would anything be "destroyed" within a work area? Is that safe and promoting integrity? So it's the unions fault that the company self destructed itself by pushing out too much volume in a short amount of time to impress shareholders?

Exactly.

The question of why it's "destroyed" was never specified. Could it be excessive volume? Possibly. Could it be lazy people loading 150pph? Just as possible. Which is why I didn't speak to it.
 

Socrates

Well-Known Member
Some of you guys are absolutely hilarious sometimes. It's like you've literally never worked anywhere else other than UPS, and things like State or Federal law take a backseat to "Work as directed". It makes me giggle even more when some of you supervisors--who have never (and possibly will never) supervised anywhere but UPS suddenly think that UPS policies can trump state law--or that you can retaliate against employees who follow state law, and you somehow won't subject your UPS building to fines and other punishments -- and that you won't have to pay back pay if you really step out of line.

In the state of Washington, you are entitled to a lunch break if you work more than 5 hours. Period. End of discussion. Not open to "work as directed". Not open to ANYTHING, unless you're a farm worker or meet a couple of other provisions. Link: http://www.lni.wa.gov/WorkplaceRights/files/policies/esc6.pdf

As far as 10-minute breaks, they are intended for employees working more than 4 hours in a shift. Additionally...

"11. When must rest periods be scheduled? The rest period of time must be scheduled as near as possible to the midpoint of the four hours of working time. No employee may be required to work more than three consecutive hours
without a rest period"

So as you can see, in Washington at least (possibly others) management is already on thin ice by scheduling break 3 hours in. Expecting employees to stick around for 3:04 or 3:08 or whatever.....again, there is no debate about it. Do not schedule a break for 100% of the state law requirement. When in doubt, schedule break for 2:50, and when it becomes necessary, you have a 10 minute flex period. Otherwise, it is at the discretion of the employees to continue working.

Bottom line: "Work as directed" DOES NOT APPLY when it comes to violating state law. The ONLY directive that would apply here is "Hope for the best, expect the worst".

As far as break 1 1/2 or 2 hours in...sending someone to lunch break (whether they like it or not)...there's your "work as directed". Instructing someone to violate state law for your own personal benefit = not covered. Sorry.

 
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