“If I could sum up why I’m committed to the HR Girlfriends community it would come down to because we are ‘….in this together.'”

~Sana’ Rasul, Chief Girlfriend

Q&A: Exempt Employee Taking Long Lunches

You can deduct hours from this exempt employee’s PTO bank for time she was scheduled to work but didn’t work, but if it wasn’t made clear that you expected her to follow a set schedule, you’d only want to do this going forward. However, we’d suggest considering a different approach.

First, speak to her about the long lunches. It’s possible she simply misunderstands how long her lunch breaks are supposed to be and is taking what she believes to be the correct amount of time. Ensure she understands what the consequences will be if she continues to take long lunch breaks. This discussion alone might solve the problem.

Second, if the long lunch breaks persist, follow your standard disciplinary process. While PTO deductions are an option, they may not actually discourage the behavior you want to stop. If the employee is willing to use PTO to take long lunches, she may just continue taking them. Additionally, as this employee’s position is classified as exempt, if her PTO bank is exhausted, a deduction from her salary for missed time would not be permissible.

This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law.

Answer from Kelley, PHR:
Kelley has experience in human resources focused in Payroll and Benefits Administration and Employee Relations for small businesses. She graduated from Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Human Resources. In her free time, Kelley enjoys physical fitness, traveling to new places and spending time outdoors in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains with family.

Leave a comment

Never miss an opportunity to earn HRCI/SHRM credits, identify a mentor, or connect 1:1 with another HR Girlfriend in your city or across the country.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Author picture

HR Girlfriends™ is a Human Resources networking organization dedicated to advancing the practice and culture of people empowerment. Our team of Girlfriends consult, train, educate, develop, share, promote, and advocate for solutions in the field of human resource management.

Are You IN?
Or Are You OUT?

It’s time you join forces with a community of like-minded peers ready to tackle the issues unique to the women of HR.
  • All
  • Affirmation
  • Career Mondays
  • Certification
  • COVID-19
  • CyberSAFE
  • Guest Blogger
  • HR Advisor
  • HR Law Alert
  • HR Q&A
  • HR Reading
  • HR Reel Talk
  • Join Our Team - Apply Now
  • Membership
All
  • All
  • Affirmation
  • Career Mondays
  • Certification
  • COVID-19
  • CyberSAFE
  • Guest Blogger
  • HR Advisor
  • HR Law Alert
  • HR Q&A
  • HR Reading
  • HR Reel Talk
  • Join Our Team - Apply Now
  • Membership
Affirmation

Affirmation: 13 Bedtime Rituals That Encourage Mindfulness

When you were little, you probably had bedtime rituals that helped you go to sleep. Maybe your parents told you to put on your pajamas
Read More →
Career Mondays

Career Monday: Say Goodbye to Feeling Lonely at Work

If you feel lonely at work, you’re not alone. It may be the natural result of technology that reduces face to face interactions and increases
Read More →
HR Q&A

Q&A: Working Interviews

Yes, you can have a working interview as part of your selection process, but there’s a big caveat. If you have the candidate do “real
Read More →
Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap