In Louisiana, break times are fully at the discretion of employers. Currently I work at an amazing restaurant that offers me break times in between doubles, and even allows me small breaks during single shifts, but that has not always been the case for me.

At my last job at a historic restaurant in New Orleans, the owners did not take my mental or physical wellbeing into account when forcing me to work 15-17 hours a day for days in a row with no meal or rest breaks in between my work hours. 

When I raised concern for myself and my fellow servers, we were met with "the law doesn't require me to give you a break, so you can either work, or leave."

The facts are: 

Currently, in the state of Louisiana, it’s not illegal to do that.

“..many states have labor regulations specifying the timing and duration of...breaks that must be provided...Louisiana government has no such laws...meal breaks are scheduled at the discretion of the employer.” (minimumwage.org)

While the Louisiana law says, "No minor shall be employed, permitted, or suffered to work for any five-hour period without one (break) of at least thirty minutes…” (legis.la.gov) for people that are 18 or older, "Louisiana does not have any laws requiring an employer to provide...breaks to employees eighteen (18)...or older.." (Employment Handbook).

The difference between serving for 15 hours with a 30 minute break under my belt vs. working straight through is staggering. Any good manager understands this. 

No matter your age, it should be up to the worker's discretion whether they want the break. If a worker wants to push themselves mentally and physically, that is different than an employer forcing someone to push themselves past their physical limit. 

In an ideal world: 

For every 5 hours worked, the option of one paid 10 minute break. 

For every 8 hours worked, the option of at least one 20 minute unpaid break. 

I hope to garner 20,000 signatures on this petition so that we may finally be given the option of break, or no break. 

Sources: 

(minimumwage.org) - https://www.minimum-wage.org/louisiana/required-breaks-and-meal-periods

(legis.la.gov) - http://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=83835 

(Employment Handbook) - https://www.employmentlawhandbook.com/employment-and-labor-laws/states/louisiana/wage-and-hour/#:~:text=Meals%20and%20Breaks,-Louisiana%20labor%20laws&text=Louisiana%20does%20not%20have%20any,(lunch)%20period%20or%20breaks

Additional resources: 

(upcounsel) https://www.upcounsel.com/louisiana-labor-laws#:~:text=Labor%20laws%20require%20employers%20to,so%20the%20federal%20rule%20applies