The Truth About Lunch Breaks in Idaho Will Ruin Your Day

When it comes to working, I think my family would agree that I am a borderline (they'll say "full-fledged") workaholic. Maybe it's because I love what I do for a living or perhaps it's because I just get so into what I'm doing, whatever the case is, one thing is clear: I forget to eat.

People experience this all the time when they work a lot or simply have a passion for whatever it is they're doing. But what if you were really looking forward to having a lunch break in the middle of your 8 to 12-hour shift? Surely, you would be entitled to such a thing after working so much, right?

Wrong. According to the Idaho Department of Labor:

Idaho law does not require employers to give breaks or meal periods. Employees would only be entitled to breaks if it is the employer's policy to provide them.

That's right - employers are in no way obligated to give you a break or "meal period" (quite the phrase!) and can actually ask you to work straight through your shift.

As odd as that may sound, that's not the only law that seems to be forgotten in the workplace. Idaho Department of Labor says that Idaho is a "work at will" state which means your employer can technically fire you "with or without notice" and "with or without cause."

What does that have to do with not being entitled to a "meal period"? Shoot, we all might want to think twice before ever demanding a lunch break!