2. Quiz: Workplace Scenario

Angela has a job at a local restaurant during the summer months. She usually works a shift from 2:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. She is allowed to take a 20-minute "lunch break" and two 10-minute "coffee breaks." Angela and the other servers do not take their breaks at the same time. Sometimes it is so busy; the employer says they can't have any breaks at all.

One day some school friends of Angela's came into the restaurant for coffee. Angela arranged with her co-worker to take a 10-minute break so she could visit with her friends. When her ten minutes were up, she went back to work. Her employer told her that it was company policy that employees were not allowed to take breaks with restaurant customers. Angela thought it was unfair that she couldn't have her break with whomever she wanted. Can the employer do that?

1. What are the workplace problems or issues?
   
   
   
   
2. What are Angela's rights and responsibilities?
   
   
   
   
3. What is one strategy Angela might use to address the problem?
   
   
   
   
4. If Angela decides to discuss the issue with her employer, how could she start the discussion?
   
   
   
   

To check your answers, see this module's Answer Key.