Pizza delivery drivers may lose out on pay if they work through unpaid rest breaks. Answering the phone, watching the order screen, helping customers, or waiting for the next delivery are all job duties that should be performed on the clock. Even though the work doesn’t stop, pizza delivery drivers are still owed paid rest breaks. Working through unpaid rest breaks can seem like only a few minutes here and there but that time adds up and can significantly reduce regular wages and overtime.
Forester Haynie can help pizza delivery drivers who believe they may be owed wages due to working through rest breaks.
The Consequences of Unpaid Rest Breaks
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not generally require private employers to offer meal or rest breaks.
A store provides a short rest break, however, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Fact Sheet #22 explains that a break lasting about 5 to 20 minutes must be generally counted as hours worked. Requiring a driver to clock out does not itself mean that time is unpaid.
How Unpaid Rest Breaks Can Look
If you or someone you know experienced any of the following, you may be able to claim lost wages from unpaid rest breaks:
- Clocking out for a 5-20 minute break
- Breaks were automatically deducted even if no uninterrupted breaks were taken
- Performing job duties during unpaid breaks
Our team must review every detail of the job in order to determine if an unpaid rest break should have counted as work time. Having experienced one or more of these situations alone does not necessarily mean a wage and hour violation occurred.
Request a Free Case Evaluation
If you or someone you know worked as a pizza delivery driver and believe you have a claim for lost wages due to working through unpaid rest breaks, Forester Haynie is here to help. Check if you qualify with a FREE case evaluation by filling out the contact form today!