You Ask, We Investigate: No Rest Mandate For Workforce

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Dan Garcia

Story Created: Aug 15, 2008 at 5:44 PM CST

Story Updated: Feb 9, 2009 at 1:23 PM CST

In our You Ask We Investigate a Wichita Falls Woman has a beef with Texas labor laws---and lots of Texans agree with her. And here is some information you might be very surprised to find out.

The beginnings of a movement that could spread state wide.... Are going on in this apartment on wichita falls' east side. "I'm just tired of being told it's a priviledge not a right to be able to take a break," says Virginia Flores. What Virginia Flores is talking about is the lack of a state or federally mandated break either for lunch or to rest from work.

"The federal government says there is nothing, it's up to the state... The state government there is no law," said Flores.

She says many restaurants don't allow breaks. Nor do many retail or construction jobs and as you can imagine--that can create a health risks in hot temperatures.

"There is nothing. They do not have to give you anything. I have gone to top companies where in other states that mandate it they do. Here they said we don't have to. It's gonna take from our production," said Flores.

So on the encouragement of local Representative David Farabee's office... Flores has embarked on getting a bill passed. Right now she is researching and putting together a proposal to take to Representative Farabee and then to State Senator Craig Estes.

I checked online with the Texas Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor. Flores is right. There is nothing in place for Texans under current laws.

If you agree with Virginia Flores, send her an e-mail to yes4breaks@Gmail.com.  We will definitely be following this one.

In the mean time, if you've got a problem, give me a call to 687-U-ASK. That number again, 687-8275.

Thursday, Feb 12 at 2:07 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Sorry, was wrong in saying Texas has a required meal break after 4 hours

Thursday, Feb 12 at 1:27 PM Anonymous wrote ...

There is no state law in Texas requiring employers to give workers a break, but there is a state law in Texas requiring a 30 minute lunch per after four hours.

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