Q:
A: I am a former Human Resources manager for a retailer in the Boston area. Had baby and resigned position to become a mom, just so you know I wasn't fired or anything... If you are an hourly employee, you are entitled to a 30 min unpaid break after 6 hours of work. If you work 8 hours, you are entitled to two 15 minute paid breaks and one 30 min unpaid break. The company I worked for offered a 15 min rest period after 5 hours of work but it is not mandated by law. You are allowed to forgo your 30 min unpaid break if you work through your break and sign your time card that you voluntarily gave up your break. If you work through your 30 min unpaid break without acknowledgement of doing so, your employer can dock you for that 30 min break.