When I started working at a mental health facility in late July of 2020, I was shocked to learn from a fellow behavioral technician that we do not get to take breaks. I thought, "That has to be illegal!" Surely you can imagine my surprise upon learning that employers in the state of Michigan are not legally required to allow employees to take breaks. I initially brushed off HR’s failure to disclose this information during the interview process as accidental. Everyone makes mistakes; we’re only human, after all. 

For 5 months, I was the only behavioral technician at my company's Lansing area site. Because transportation is provided to clients in need, my work days frequently ranged from 9 to 11 hours long. In January of this year, help arrived in the form of 2 new behavioral technicians. I found myself the bearer of bad news upon informing them that we do not get to take breaks. Both technicians responded in exactly the same way that I had: “That’s illegal!”

In that moment, my concern grew as I began to process the implication of their response. Failing to inform one new hire that they will not get breaks is an accident; failing to inform 2 additional new hires is willful non-disclosure. Leaving out information that could very well dissuade a prospective employee from accepting a job offer implies that my company is aware that this policy (or lack thereof) is unethical, even if it is not illegal.

Only 9 states require employers to let employees take rest breaks, and only 21 states require employers to let employees take lunch breaks! I am proposing federal legislation requiring employers to give all employees breaks. The proposed requirements are as follows: 

•  Any employee that works 4 hours or more shall be allowed a paid rest break lasting no less than 15 minutes, during which time the employee must be relieved of any and all work related activities and must also be permitted to leave the premises.
• Any employee that works 6 hours or more shall be allowed an unpaid meal break lasting no less than 30 minutes.
• Any employee that works 10 hours or more shall be allowed a second unpaid meal break lasting no less than 30 minutes, which may be waived by mutual consent between the employee and the employer.

A system that does not provide for the wellbeing of the population is a system that has failed those it is meant to serve. A system that values the laborer is a system that cultivates the health and prosperity of the nation. Businesses without laborers cannot function - it’s time to demand what we deserve. Please join me in leading the fight for workers' rights across all 50 states!