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Waffle House Is Taking Heat For An 'Especially Alarming' Paycheck Policy
(www.huffpost.com)
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I found this a bit confusing, but I think the core of this is really that Waffle House staff don't get a choice on whether or not they buy a meal during their shift. Is that right?
I kind of got that gist from the article, but nothing super clear. It said that employees pay for the meal whether they eat it or not, which if you ordered food and didn't eat it, that's kinda on you. I think it should be saying that they are charged for the meal whether they ordered it or not, if that's what is happening.
Basically, yes. They're forcing you to purchase food, whether you want it, intend to consume it, or get to consume it.
And FWIW in the restaurant industry meal breaks are usually not a thing, so it is very common to order food and just have to scarf it down whenever you're not using your hands or in front of guests. I used to unwrap, consume, and dispose of the packaging for a sandwich in the time it took me to walk from the door to dry storage.
Edit: also IIRC wage deductions are usually illegal unless for uniforms or ordered by a court. This is probably an easy case.
If you're not eating hour old food above a trash can after mistiming making a meal what even are you doing (I don't cook professionally, was married to a chef/baker and got to hear all about the nonsense)