SC law regarding lunches?

[scmommy75]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? SC

I am being told by my new supervisor that according to SC labor laws that they are required to provide, at the minimum, a 30 minute lunch for any employee working a 7 hour day. One day last week I took a 29 minute lunch, having clocked in 1 minute early on accident. She is telling me they can take disciplinary action against me for this? Is that accurate? I was under the impression that SC Labor Laws do not require an employer to even provide lunches or breaks. Can someone clarify this for me?

 

[eerelations]

Actually you're asking two questions here. They are:

1. Are there any SC laws requiring employers to give employees a minimum 30-minute meal break?
   
2. Can my employer discipline me for taking a 29-minute meal break?

And my answers are:

1. I don't know - one of my esteemed colleagues can answer this one.
   
2. Yes, your employer can discipline you for taking a 29-minute meal break, even if there aren't any meal break laws in SC.

 

[mlane58]

South Carolina neither requires a 30 minute meal break or rest breaks of any kind. Your employer can still take corrective action against for violating their internal policy on meal or rest breaks.

 

[cbg]

If your employer is telling you that SC requires a 30 minute break, she is either mistaken or lying.

However, if your employer wants you to take a 30 minute break, then you take a 30 minute break. The absence of a law requiring it does not mean the employer cannot require it - they can. And if they want to discipline you for taking 29 minutes instead of 30, there is nothing in the law that is going to stop them.

An employer cannot require an employee to take fewer or shorter breaks than the law requires, but they can require more or longer.