Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Drug lunches and pay

I could be wrong about this, but I know that everyone on here will know. For years now, my staff has been having drug lunches, which I do not attend. I may say hi and sign for it, but otherwise, I couldn't care less about hearing of the latest meningococcal vaccine. I already know there will be a new type in a week anyway probably to cover C, D, E, F, G up to Z and then double letters, with new rules.

Anyway, none of my employees clock out for these. They eat the free lunch, listen to the rep talk about Mead-Johnson formula even though they may be the biller, and get paid their normal hourly pay. Since they may work eight hours, they are paid for nine hours. All of them end up working over six hours straight, which I think is not allowed. I believe they have to take a 15 minute break or something to that effect.

If I have a mandated meeting or make lunch a mandated lunch, I understand I must pay them, but still allow a break somewhere within the six hour period.

Any help would be appreciated.

My understanding is that for more than either 5 or 6 hour work period you must give 2 x 15 minutes paid breaks and time for a 30 minute lunch that does not have to be paid. I think for 4 hours you must provide a single 15 minute break but don't hold me to it.

This is why many employees work an 8.5 hour day, the lunch doesn't count.

You of course, do have the option to pay them, but it is not mandatory.

Thanks Wendell,

This is getting more complex. I guess what I am debating and being told different things is that if they attend a drug lunch (that they set up -- no I didn't care at the time -- I do now), because it is educational, I have to pay for it. I have been told that if I tell them it is not mandatory, I don't have to pay them.

Which, right or wrong, I will tell them Monday. You can have all the drug lunches you want, but it is not mandatory, and you must clock out and clock in for the drug lunch time. Have to figure out the 15 minute breaks.

I used to pay for lunches but traded that for adding vacation time, which I did not provide at the time. It turns out to be about a wash.

It's not unreasonable to pay for lunches, what they do during those lunches is their business. If the drug company is offering free good - great. If you're not paying for lunches, then I would have them do what you just suggested.

You can set any policy you like. I set a mandatory 30 minute lunch for full time employees who have to clock out. If you work less than 5 hours, you can skip it. I have relatively stopped the drug lunches as I learned nothing and it was just chaos with 1+ hours spent picking the food, 1 hour eating it and many fist fights over who gets the leftovers. I buy pizza on occasion for them. Believe me, I 'm way ahead.

I must agree, there usually isn't that much learning, but they appreciate a "free" lunch. We have a 1 hour mid day break (2x15 minute breaks and 30 minute lunch together) so it's scheduled then. I usually attend, but it's not a big deal. They are free to attend or not, they always take the food though

We don't treat a "drug lunch" any different from a regular lunch. Staff can choose to attend or not, and pay is the same as if no lunch was provided.

Grappled with how to deal with time off, clocking out for lunches for long time. Several years ago ended up with policy where the timeclock software automatically deducts 30 minutes for lunch if they work more than 6 hours in day (they don't have to clock out and in for lunch) . They are expected to actually take a one hour lunch, but if the morning runs a few minutes into the one hour lunch they keep working. This is in employees favor. I've had little complaints.

We have an office rule of not scheduling lunches or accepting free "gifts" from reps. The reps are welcome to stop in anytime and give us any quick updates they have and we will pass the info along to the dr. Sometimes the dr. will spend a few minutes with them.

We solved all of our drug rep issues by putting a sign on the door not to come in. Freed up all kinds of time.

Yes, but that doesn't answer the question.

Check you state and federal laws. We only have to allow a 15 minute break after 6 hours. Also our physician doesn?t allow the reps to com during lunch. They have to be schedule at end of day and he does listen to them staff can take something home or eat in next s
Day

Thanks.