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Lunch time taken

Posted by BD on 9/24/2025, 3:58 pm

I am a new teacher. I don’t mind the hard work at all, but my head director is insisting that I work through my lunch break. Sometimes the tasks are incompatible with eating (pass offs, uniform organization, instrument repair). I am not sure what to do. 2 weeks ago I barely ate anything all the way through the Friday night game. Any suggestions?

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by eat first on 10/6/2025, 11:10 pm, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

take care of yourself. eat first, then work. That way you are doing both.

I know you have heard that according to TEA rules,(law) teachers are allowed a 30 minute lunch that cannot be taken away from you, but I would try a way around that 1st before you throw that up in their face. HD's don't appreciate being reminded about the rules.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by Respectfully on 10/15/2025, 12:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Lunch time taken"

Your response can be interpreted:

"Let them break the rules because it's too inconvenient and risky to stand up for yourself."

HBD isn't your boss, the principal is. And if the HBD isn't following the law or district policy, then stop allowing them to do so.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by Foodwhatsthat on 9/27/2025, 7:14 pm, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

Whatever happened to be a decent human and giving your people a break. Especially when the normal world takes lunch breaks. Ugh. This profession keeps getting worse.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by The Law on 9/26/2025, 1:19 pm, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

Many of you are stating that it is "illegal" and you are right. But take a moment to look up possible penalties or other action that can be taken against a school for "violating" the 30 minute duty free lunch rule. I'll save you some time...it's nothing. The law has no teeth.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by Advo on 10/20/2025, 7:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Lunch time taken"

Not sure about the 30 minute duty-free lunch (which is in the code), but I know one campus that was given 48 hours to redo the master schedule when some teachers were not getting the intact 45 minute planning period. (They had 20 minutes at one time, and then 15 minutes later in the day.) I call that teeth. But it could have just been good administration!

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by No on 9/26/2025, 3:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Lunch time taken"

True, but I have found that just whispering "file a grievance" tends to send a shiver down most admins spines. If they still have one that is.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by Hmmmm..... on 9/29/2025, 7:49 am, in reply to "Re: Lunch time taken"

Got news for you...grievances don't have any teeth either. Once the thing is settled, there is no incentive for the administration to honor it.

Only a full blown lawsuit will handle things.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by No on 9/30/2025, 9:23 am, in reply to "Re: Lunch time taken"

Yeah, I'm aware of that. But my experience has always been that the mere mention of that word gets a weak admin to back off. And lets face it, a strong admin wouldnt be put in that position, nor would they put an employee in that position.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by WW Guy on 9/26/2025, 9:20 am, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

"Absolutely! Ill get to that here in just a bit. Im going to eat and decompress for a few minutes and then ill take care of it!"

Id be willing to be that when he/she is asking you to do things during lunch it is because that is when they are thinking about them. Unless they have specifically said that you must work through your lunch they probably arent implying that. But ive been wrong before

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by Elsewhere on 9/25/2025, 5:58 pm, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

Eat your lunch in the staff room. My first hear a head director did the same. Wanted me calling parents for him. I told him no. Then I started eating lunch in the staff room. Problem solved.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by No on 9/25/2025, 2:44 pm, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

Either your boss is not very well informed, or he thinks you are not very well informed (which given the fact that you are new may be true, but not an excuse).
As I'm sure many other will have posted on here, you are entitled to duty free lunch. There are some exceptions, but this is not it. We all work through lunch sometimes, but that is a choice, and there is nothing wrong with saying "yeah I can do it afterlunch, or before school." Bottom line is he does not have the ability to seek repercussions for that.

Link: texasaft

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by Ask on 9/25/2025, 2:43 pm, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

When does the head director eat lunch? Eat when he or she does. OR, ask them if you can start eating lunch together.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by DesertJazz on 9/25/2025, 2:20 pm, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

If they're willing to do it on their own for themselves - that's on them. You are legally entitled to a 30 minute duty free lunch. If you are not a member of TCTA or similar, please join it now.

Yes, personally I have my lunch interrupted by letting kids practice in the band hall, answering questions, etc. That being said, that's my choice in a small school to just try to make some things work. If they're combative about not giving you that lunch, it's time to talk to an admin if speaking with them directly doesn't work.

It is illegal to require you to work like that, though.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by Hard Line on 9/25/2025, 2:13 pm, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

You are legally entitled to a 30 minute duty free lunch. I would kindly explain to the head director you would like 30 minutes to eat and mentally recharge, and then complete whatever tasks needed. Go at it nicely first, some people are wired to work through lunch, and may not be thinking about asking you to do the same. If they push back, then you can pull up the legal jargon, they have nothing to stand on. I would absolutely not bend on this.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by BDSO on 9/25/2025, 1:13 pm, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

The State states teachers are guaranteed a 30-minute duty free lunch. That doesn't necessarily mean "work-free". I've been doing this 28 years and I don't think I've ever had a "work-free" lunch. That said, no one (even the HD) should be able to make you do stuff during your lunch, but sometimes things just need to get done.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by No on 9/26/2025, 9:49 am, in reply to "Re: Lunch time taken"

What you choose to do during your lunch is your choice, but I have been doing this 20 years and I have had most of my lunches "work free."

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by Respectfully on 9/25/2025, 12:38 pm, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

Say no.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by No on 9/25/2025, 12:17 pm, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

Eat your lunch. Respectfully let them know you will attend to these tasks after or before lunch. You need to eat and you need the brain break.

Re: Lunch time taken

Posted by Pretzel Guy on 9/25/2025, 10:58 am, in reply to "Lunch time taken"

This is a bit of an awkward position that you're in.

First, does your HD know that this is your lunch time they are taking up? If they do then I'd ask them when they suggest you eat lunch since they are taking it up. If not them I'd let them know, "Hey, I'm going to go eat, and I'll try and get back to do task X before the next class".

Does your HD eat lunch? Or do they work through it as well?

I'm pretty sure the district is legally obligated to give you a 30 minute duty free lunch.

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