Tyson Workers’ Unpaid Time Claims Move Forward Over Alleged Interrupted Meal Breaks

Tyson Foods Inc. must continue defending against most of a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging wage-and-hour violations at one of its processing plants. A federal court recently ruled that a worker plausibly alleged that interrupted meal breaks and automatic time deductions resulted in unpaid wages, allowing several key claims to move forward.

What Do the Tyson Workers Allege About Meal Breaks?

According to the lawsuit, workers were expected to take 30-minute meal breaks, but those breaks were frequently interrupted by supervisors for work-related issues. Despite these interruptions, the company allegedly continued to automatically deduct the full meal period from employees’ pay. The court found that these allegations were detailed enough to support claims for unpaid wages, including minimum wage and overtime violations.

Can Interrupted Meal Breaks Count as Work Time?

If employees aren’t fully relieved of their duties during a meal break, that time may be compensable under the law. The court also recognized that unpaid minutes can add up and potentially push total hours over 40 in a workweek without proper overtime compensation.

Which Claims Will Continue Against Tyson?

While the court dismissed certain claims, including a rest-break allegation for a lack of detail, the core wage claims will proceed against Tyson.

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