Line Cooks (15 minute/lunch break)
 

I have a friend that works for a local Moxies as a Line Cook. She told me that she doesn't get any lunch or 15 minute breaks during a 6-7 hour evening shift. Is this common practice within the industry? Please chime in if you've worked in a restaurant kitchen.

Thanks!

I remember back when I used to work at Earl's, for the first 3 years, I never went on lunch break (30 mins), or coffee break (5 mins).

Can't speak for the other restaurants, or even other Earl's establishments, but when I was working on line, we'd be running things pretty lean (only keeping as much staff as absolutely necessary). Part of this means sacrificing "luxuries" like breaks so that the rest of the team doesn't get killed. I didn't make a big deal about it.

Whether or not it's legal or whatever, that wasn't even a thought. I wanted to help the guys I worked with.

edit: just to add, my shifts weren't often 8 hours. 7 to 7.25, if I remember correctly, would be the average, and then I would get cut or there would be nothing left to do.

Its illegal to not take breaks however I know there are exceptions to that rule, don't know if restaurant industry is one of them

i usually run expo at night, try to give the guys a break when theres slow times, if not we all truck through it together

Legally after 5 hours of work you're entitled for a 30min lunch. Couldn't tell u much about the restaurant industry though
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32. (1) An employer must ensure

(a) that no employee works more than 5 consecutive hours without a meal break, and

(b) that each meal break lasts at least 1/2 hour.

(2) An employer who requires an employee to work or be available for work during a meal break must count the meal break as time worked by the employee.

The Employment Standards Act is crystal-clear on this, an employer who doesn't give you a meal break after five consecutive hours is breaking the law. This is not the US where you can work 12 hours without a break.

In addition, there are no exceptions, every industry in BC is subject to this rule as far as I'm aware. Definitely contact the Ministry of Labour Employment Standards Branch, the only reason this goes on is because people don't speak up for their rights.

For the record, employers are not obliged to give coffee breaks.

I work mornings/lunch at a restaurant right now. My shifts are between 5.5 and 8 hours and I never take a break. It's not really a big deal, we usually run the kitchen with 2 (maybe 3) people cooking/prepping at once so its tough for one person to leave for 30 minutes.

Last summer I would work lunch/dinner. The only time I would take a break is if I got caught up on my prep after the lunch rush. I'd sit down to eat from 4:30pm-5pm and then start dinner.

The 30 minute meal break is unpaid

it is very common in the food service industry. a lot of times when its busy and your stacked with work, you don't really get a chance to sit down and eat your meal. as for working 8hrs. try 9-10hrs if needed. its a team based environment, a lot of guys don't leave for break until they finish their task.

Of the 5 years that I've worked for Moxie's I've never taken a lunch break where you sat down and have a meal. You kinda just eat on the fly and steal a bite when you can. Thats just how the industry rolls.

I currently work at Milestones as a line cook, so I'll pitch in

We get a paid smoke break (10-15 min, for smokers) and/or a meal break (20-25 min) whenever we want (at least 3 hours in, and all we do is ask), unless there's a huge rush going on and we're needed on the line. We can go for our break immediately after the rush though
I work 5-6 hour days the majority of the time, and usually by the 4th hour I go for a smoke/meal

Moxie's sounds retarded, no bias

Its standard restaurant behaviour. Its not legal, but neither is anything any restaurant does to their employees. I work 9 hours usually at work, and its just become normal for none of us to take breaks even though no one minds. Theres too much shit to do, and I'd rather leave half an hour earlier. We all kind of graze throughout the shift so its not like we are starving.
Coles notes:
Don't work in a kitchen.

No offense to anyone, especially the OP and his/her friend but the saying goes, "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen."

Despite having breaks when I worked at McDonald's when I was younger, it was tough and I knew I couldn't handle it. I couldn't tough it out and knew right away the restaurant business wasn't my thing. Then I see my family in Los Angeles scrambling orders for CBS Studios on a daily basis for catering - :heckno:

^ Nah, I'm not offended at all, and neither is my friend complaining, in fact, she finds that being a Line Cook here is easier than where she's from (12-16 hour shifts). I was curious to know if how she was being treated at work was commonplace.

I have new found respect for those who work in the kitchen, it's definitely not a job for most people.

Yeah, 12 - 16 hour shifts is overkill. But it takes a real tough cookie to be able to withstand those kinds of working conditions/hours. Big kudos to those who can rough it.

lets be real, the only reason why she isn't getting a 15 minute break is mostly because she is probably too scared to ask for one.... Also, if it's super busy, they need her on line.

depends on the shift, if you are working evenings obviously it is alot busier and with the dinner rushes its expected that everyone works through them.

like posted above there can be alot of downtime and yes everyone in the kitchen will make themselves snacks while in the back, the reason 15 min breaks are given is so there arnt huge rushes that cant be handled because someone feels like sitting in the back texting while bills are running long.

if you do need a break you would obviously say you need to go on a break. all this comes with a balance though, kitchen jobs can be really fun, but they are stressful!

So much sweating during the summer months in the kitchen. Whole body felt like a sweaty asshole.

I'm thankful I never worked on an oven or grill station. I would've lost my shit.

12-15 shifts is pretty average once you get to salary level.

10-12 hrs days r pretty common in hotels kitchen if ur at non union place that is....