|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Labor audit brings stricter lunch rules to city
By ALEXANDRA CALDWELL
Article published on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 |
CLEARWATER – A Department of Labor audit regarding some Clearwater solid waste employees has changed the way city employees document lunch breaks, said Earl Gloster, director of solid waste and general services.
The solid waste employees have a paid 30-minute lunch break for hourly employees, Gloster said. But nine workers at the transfer station at 1701 N. Hercules Ave. said there have been times over the last two years when they worked through all or a portion of their lunch break without receiving extra compensation, Gloster said.
Those employees filed a complaint with the Department of Labor which conducted an audit, said Joe Roseto, human resources director for Clearwater. Between the employees, Roseto said it averaged an hour and a half each week when they didn’t take lunch.
At the time, Gloster said employees punched in and out of work at the beginning and end of the day and a supervisor would sign the sheet at the end of the week. Although policy was that lunch was mandatory, employees didn’t have to document when or if they took a lunch break, Gloster said. All the documentation showed was whether they worked 40 hours each week. Therefore, the Department of Labor ruled on the side of the employees, requiring the city to pay them for their alleged extra time.
The city footed the bill of about $12,000 with checks ranging from $79 to $4,500, Roseto said. The seven current and two former employees have already received their checks, Gloster said.
“We will have to clarify to all employees what their obligations are,” Roseto said. “That they will take lunch every day and they will not work outside of their scheduled hours each day and if they don’t comply, then that could be actionable.”
In addition to clarifying the rules to all city employees, Gloster said, everyone must document their lunch hours.
“Basically we’ve mandated that they take their 30-minute lunch period and we’re having them sign a time sheet to that effect to say that, yes, they did indeed take their lunch break,” Gloster said.
The new rules went into effect July 14.
|
Article published on Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Newspapers
9911 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 397-5563
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
|
