10-Hour Shifts, No Lunch: Electrician’s Story Triggers Online Reaction

Continuous work and lunch breaks are some of the common work-related issues. These are more common in working-class jobs. Another similar situation has come up, whereby an electrician was allegedly terminated for asking for a lunch break.

The worker shared his experience on the Reddit website under the title "Fired for Asking for a Lunch Break." The worker explained that he had been fired for demanding a proper lunch break during his long working hours.

According to the post, the worker asked about the break policy during orientation. HR reportedly told him, "Some crews take an hour or 30 minutes, depending on the workload." However, when he joined his assigned site, he was told the crew didn't take lunch breaks at all.

He wrote, "We used to work 10 hours a day, and we're not allowed to take lunch breaks." After speaking with HR again, he said he had to sign documents to be allowed to take breaks. It was claimed this decision upset the rest of the crew.

He said, "The entire crew hated me for this, but I didn't care. It was very hard work and I needed to reenergize." The electrician explained that he lifts weights and practices martial arts after work, so eating properly is essential for him.

He also decided from the beginning that he couldn't stay past 4:30 p.m. Initially, the schedule was four 10-hour days, but later, due to the team's lag, it was extended to five 10-hour days.

He said he accepted the change but refused to stay on site until 7 or 7:30 p.m. like others. He wrote, "I value my time and don't live to work."