It has to be said

I have been biting my tongue for all these months, even editing some of my posts to remove any references to my job which may be interpreted in a way that reflects poorly upon me. But today...today really takes the cake and pushes me toward speaking. The unemployment rate in this state of North Carolina is 10.8% and I certainly do not want to become a statistic. And, it is true that I am on probation for a full nine months, long enough to birth a baby! It has been made clear to me that no reason is needed. I can be let go at any time, without cause. All that being said, I must take this risk. There is a culture of heroism, nay, martyrdom that exists in this field in Western North Carolina. Working ridiculous hours without breaks, driving hundreds of miles across mountains, gorges, valleys at night, in the dark without cell phone signal. Being expected to meet with people in crisis in unsafe community clinic settings, hotels, homes. I have been so incredulous about this, wondering where any of the most basic protections exist for workers in this organization and in this state. for the most part, the answer is "no."

This is taken directly from the North Carolina Department of Labor website:


Does an employer have to give all of its employees rest breaks and meal breaks?
No. A rest break (generally 10 or 15 minutes) and a meal break (usually 30 minutes or more) are not required by law for anyone who is 16 years of age or older. A 30 minute break after 5 hours is required for youths who are 14 or 15 years of age.

Ok, let's just stop and think about this. First of all, you don't have to be 16 years of age to work in this state. Nope, 14 is the minimum age. That alone is amazing. Luckily, those poor kids DO have to be given a short break after 5 hours of work, unlike we old people. I work 12 1/2 hours with NO BREAK. I asked my supervisor about this once and she said that if I were to take more than 2-3 minutes for a personal call that I would have to reduce my hours by 15 minutes on my time card.

Here's another quote from NCDOL website:


Is there a restriction on how many hours an employer can work an adult employee?
No. Employees 18 years of age and older can be required to work as many hours as an employer wants. The employer has to make sure to pay the employee at least the minimum wage or promised wages (whichever is greater) and pay time and one-half overtime pay based on the employee’s regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek unless the employee is exempt from overtime pay for a specific reason.

I spoke with a woman today who works at one of the chain fast food locations. Her shifts are 14 hours long WITHOUT ANY BREAKS. When I was out here interviewing last Fall, I spoke with an employer who wanted me to work 15 hour shifts and was surprised when I balked.

Slavery lives on today in 21st century North Carolina.