Is an 8-Hour Workday Unrealistic?

[@delilah6390]

I’m a boss and I only care about them getting their work done. You can work from home. You can leave 2 hours early, work on the roof, in a safari, in London, on Mars. Just get the work done !

[@NL-tq1yr]

This is the way not the old farts way

[@BrianCassidy-hb9pg]

Yeah, this is how it works if you are not a dinosaur. Measuring outputs v inputs is much more important

[@bigmacmach1185]

As long as the work gets done and it's of a high quality, I totally agree, who cares where it's from. There are so many ways to track everything nowadays. It's not entitled to want to work at home, in many cases it makes life easier. Not every company can do this, but if the business type allows it, why not.

[@mrscmeier9570]

The problem is that customers need to be serviced until 5pm and if the staff is commuting home at 4pm, that isn't going to happen.

[@bigmacmach1185]

@mrscmeier9570 if you set proper expectations with the customers, they will learn. Just like when I worked at a bank and they changed and closed at 5 instead of 6. They adjusted.

[@mleezy930]

Going to the office for 9 hours while taking 5 smoke breaks and holding meetings that should’ve been an email is no better

[@debjordan5981]

I get more work done at home then dealing with drama at the work place. So happy that working from home is the new norm! 🤗

[@theravenousrabbit3671]

Yup, if management thinks that they can just sit on their asses all day, shoot the shit in meetings and look busy, then the employees will pick up on that and also start looking busy.

[@don_cc123]

This, 100%. Endless hours of countless meetings that wasted my time and productivity!

[@LikeABoss1211]

Army

[@Camie2030]

Yeah. Now we have useless weekly meetings

[@ScizzyGibbler]

Simple, do 8am to 4pm for half and 9am to 5pm for the other half. Worked great with our team!

[@sakispsinakis]

We have 7am to 3pm as well.

[@alexandersims1613]

100%...the lack of intelligence on both ends of this convo is outstanding.

[@chasen62]

Such a simple solution.. Shocking these guys don't get that

[@hugoranogueira]

​@@chasen62yeap, correct.

[@sewerrat7612]

Only issue with that would be extra cost for electric ect. Because of additional time office would have to be open. If someone would have beeb there anyway it works out fine.

[@StanleyMyers-oo8wb]

Here's an out-of-the-box idea, TALK TO THE EMPLOYEES! Why do they want to leave? Is it maybe a traffic issue, maybe it's a realization that they work better at 12 and not at 4. 99% of issues like this would be fixed if employers talked to their employees like humans. THATS the problem. Not millennials, not Gen Z; it's the younger generation seeing their parents be kicked and concerns ignored by bosses for their whole lives and saying, "Maybe there's a better way," and bosses feeling like they just don't want to work because they think they know whats right for people who they know nothing about.

[@dyates6380]

I'd say people who took the job with the hours that were explained to them ahead of time have to be the ones to adapt. I never worked at a place where people wanted to "leave early" and in fact MOST wanted overtime, as in every day. Years ago there was talk about moving the first shift and second shift hours "ahead one hour", as in making first shift 6 until 2 and second shift 2 until 10. It was discussed and after a certain amount of back and forth over a few weeks, it was put to a vote and it was decided to keep it the way it was. Employers DO talk to their employees, and oh by the way, this is from someone who was an employee and also one who voted for the earlier hours, the employee is the one who takes the instructions from the employer, not the other way around. That is the problem - at least in my mind. Too many people think they can dictate what company policy is or should be when they aren't in that position. Someone working the "line" in a manufacturing plant (like me) isn't in a position to tell the company or supervisors how things are to be done, unless obviously, there is some type of safety risk or other impending issue being a possibility. We took the job at those hours so we will work those hours. Not that hard. If someone doesn't like their job, for whatever reason, they should go elsewhere.

[@sstrongman1667]

@@dyates6380your employer talked to you. Every workplace is different, every business is different. More two way communication is not the issue.

[@dylanwolfe9432]

100% agree I work at a large company with both parents and they tell me to get out and find a better opportunity because the politics and just work in general. People won’t work for company’s for 50 years like they used to

[@RiverWoods111]

The real problem is this caller has a business that is forward-facing and he needs these employees to be there till 5 pm or closing time. From the sounds of it, he wouldn't mind if there were people left there at closing time. What would probably work better is to split and have some of the workers come in at say 7 am and leave at 2 or 2:30 depending on the length of their lunch time. Then have the other half come in at say 9 am and work till 6 pm. Let them bid on their productivity, not seniority. This way he will have longer hours for customers and no extra people, and his employees will be happy unless they are sucky employees who don't do their jobs correctly.

[@DioDiablo702]

I drive in traffic 12 hours a day. You can handle 30 minutes of traffic to work, and 30 minutes of traffic from work.

[@aaronmurphy8796]

I agree with this mostly , only difference is I don’t think the workers are necessarily unreasonable if they quit . That just means they want a different set of rules than that owner wants . That’s fine . Nothing wrong with that

[@cyoohoos]

Agreed. It’s called AT WILL employment for a reason. Either party can choose to leave the agreement at any time…AT WILL

[@katiejon17]

Did either one of them say the ones who quit are “unreasonable”? I didn’t hear it, but I may have missed it.

[@aaronmurphy8796]

@@katiejon17yes you missed it . Go listen again from about 4:40 “If 2 of them quit their the one who is being unreasonable “ It’s also obvious he thinks this from a number of undertones in his answer but it’s also a direct quote .

[@katiejon17]

@@aaronmurphy8796 Meh - I just don’t think it’s a big deal I guess. I’m 45 and have been working since I was 14 - I’ve never had any issues with leaving a job that doesn’t work for me anymore.

[@aaronmurphy8796]

@@katiejon17 I’m not really sure what this convo is . I said my view you said he didn’t say what I said he said -but in fact he did . Seems like now you are making some point about how you feel leaving jobs . None of that is of interest to me I simply shared my view on what Ramsey said . If you don’t share my objection that’s fine . Have a good day

[@trentonfettig7265]

Skipping lunch and leaving early for any number of reasons shouldn't be a problem. If there are multiple employees that want to do this, split up some number of employees to work 8-4 and some number to work 9-5 to cover the customer service aspect.

[@RiverWoods111]

Skipping lunches in most states will earn the employer super big fines. It is illegal in most states.

[@lukeCART1]

No get back to work

[@rakeau]

The most simple, elegant and obvious solution. All this boss needs to do is let his staff coordinate a solution.

[@ravanpee1325]

​@@rakeauThat would be illegal in many states and countries, so sometimes the employer needs to shut down an idea which is good in theory but clashes with labour regulations or other external affairs

[@rakeau]

@@ravanpee1325 Sounds like the laws need to be fixed then. Such laws that proclaim to protect workers but actually work against their wishes is stupid. Also, lots of people do extra time anyway, and often unpaid, and the world and economies and businesses would be stuffed if they didn’t.

[@James-gs2dz]

Dave didn't answer the question being asked. Employees are asking if they can WORK THROUGH LUNCH; not taking a break, and leaving sooner in the day. The employees are looking at working for 8 hours regardless. Not 7. Otherwise you're AT work for 9 hours, only being paid for 8.

[@christophercarrigg3775]

He did, he said neither were wrong ethically or morally

[@b_bogg]

He also said that customer service lasts till 5pm

[@TMPS93]

You must not have watched the whole thing because he literally addressed this. His issue (which is valid) is that if everyone skips lunch and leaves an hour early there is no one to help the customers the last hour of the workday.

[@russellpollard6075]

Some states do not allow hourly workers to work through lunch. Salary shouldn't matter because your pay doesn't change, and there is some expectation to be available in some of your downtime. My company allows us to do it. It's kind of a "Don't stir the pot scenario."

[@RiverWoods111]

In most states it is illegal to work through breaks and companies can get big fines.

[@A-Few-Thoughts-For-You]

Why not ask them? Perhaps it can be a shifted schedule. Some come in an hour later, some leave an hour earlier-- but ask them. Work together

[@jasonszumlanski6514]

That's exactly what I was thinking. As long as it works for the business and the customer.

[@arcticredpanda4598]

That's not leadership. That's a recipe for group input on every little thing when young people need to be led.

[@jasonszumlanski6514]

If you're afraid of input from subordinates, that's not leadership. That's authoritarianism.

[@arcticredpanda4598]

@@jasonszumlanski6514 Exactly. The best businesses are run with authority. Workers are replaceable.

[@randallrobinson7853]

Dave is a great leader. Dave also wants to do what he wants to do because as he said, his name is on the building. I could learn aot from Dave. I also know I wouldn't work well with Dave. Dave ignored the question. The people are working 8 hours, just not taking lunch. Dave doesn't really care what the employees think in this scenario. That goes a long way... It doesn't mean that you do what the employees want. It means you take the time to connect and listen to their concerns

[@ldcm1013]

Me too. I enjoy the show and his advice but I know I wouldn’t be able to work with him.

[@jeremiahMndy]

Yeah Dave was ranting on this call he wasn't really paying attention to the caller

[@BenTrue75]

He's got hard nosed issues in the workplace! He needs to get with the employee times!

[@katiejon17]

But the question was really about the bosses increasing concern that there is going to be a 1 hour customer service gap at the end of the day because of staff working through their lunch breaks to leave an hour earlier. Dave addressed that.

[@monkeymama5052]

It's not that they're entitled. Covid showed almost every employee how work life could be by working at home. How much more time could be spent doing things we want to do when we aren't stuck in traffic for an hour or more despite only living 30 minutes away from work. It showed us how much money can be saved with not having to go into the office. People are pissed because their bosses can see how much of a positive impact it can have on their employees lives and yet still choose to make them come back into the office. It's almost like employers don't want their employees who can work from home to have a sliver of a better life. I work hybrid which means i still have to go out and see patients, but i can start my say from home doing morning meetings and end my day at home charting and writing my report. I wouldnt change a thing because i dont spend more money on gas, a babysitter, i can schedule appointments at an earlier time, have more time to cook dinner and get things done. There's no entitlement. Its just our eyes are wide open to how work can be done and what is possible and older bosses are staying behind in the times.

[@danielhimes9068]

The people who quit aren't unreasonable, they just wanted something that you didn't offer, so they went somewhere it was an option.

[@elmeringles8442]

They were unreasonable in the fact that they accepted a job that didn't even offer a 7 hour workday and then left because the company didn't change their policy.

[@BuddyHoyt]

@@elmeringles8442they are working 8 hours, not 7. They’re just not taking a lunch break in the middle of the day.

[@jubbbs]

Making people stay at work for an hour of unpaid lunch is ridiculous. I own a construction business, and we take no scheduled breaks. if you need a break, take one, if you need a bite, grab a snack. The goal is to get this task done and get home.

[@michaelbaggett5542]

I’m sure they can leave the building and go get lunch.

[@CaseyTimko]

This is not 40 hours a way. The additional 1 hour for lunch every day is still on company time, regardless of getting paid. Which is a 45hour work week. Have the employees switch off, who gets to go home early. Let one come in at 9am instead of 8am. Working in an office does not need to be strict.

[@johnclack5419]

State and federal law states that employees have to be given two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute break. Historically that break was seen as progress toward workers rights. Now it's seen as theft. I suspect that part of the compromise is that jobs that don't require a break (non-physical) can still be obligated to take breaks.

[@metalgearfan9802]

I understand that obviously "entitled employees" are frustrating for a rich business owner, but........ this country needs people with an entitled attitude towards employment BAD. This country has gone through waaaay too many generations of people just accepting extremely poor work conditions and worker rights.

[@starry2205]

SAY IT AGAIN FOR THE ONES IN THE BACK

[@katelynozdemir7536]

This

[@battra92]

So many people in these comments would've made good serfs. I blame the education system.

[@TR0LLREIGN]

It’s ridiculous that you guys don’t even have sick leave. You get what you tolerate.

[@CG-vn5xh]

I don’t agree. The system and infrastructure we have in place now exists because of people who worked long hours and overtime. Sure, we could tell everyone they are entitled to only have to work 30 hours a week but we shouldn’t be surprised when services are less available or lower quality and/or our infrastructure takes longer to fix (power lines are a very real and simple example). Be careful what you wish for. I work in healthcare and without overtime or on call we wouldn’t have the ability to serve our patients properly. Sure you could just hire more people but it’s already hard enough to get people now

[@thethinktank-y9p]

You summed it up when you said it's my name on the side of the building. Being retired now, I can say that anytime I wasn't working for myself was a waste. If you're working for someone else you're selling your time for money. If you're working for yourself it's a different story. Consequently employers and employees do not and should not have the same expectations of what work is. It isn't that people don't have a work ethic, it's that they don't have an investment in the success of the company. A smart employer will give them an incentive a dumb one will just make rules and complain which creates a revolving door of new employees.

[@timgibney5590]

Employment is always a 2 way street. Sure you own the company but unless it is a low valued job you need great employees if you want employees you do not want to micro manage you need to offer remote work. There is a recession now but when it ends we will have people fleeing in the office work

[@pointlessvideos2321]

Just cuz u don’t work for yourself doesn’t mean that it’s a waste of time… not everyone wants to own their own business and that’s fine

[@tomcarrow]

Some states require breaks by law, so working 8 straight hours then leaving early without a lunch break would be grounds for employment lawsuits.

[@fleabag2mr.151]

California will sue you into bankruptcy. Elections have consequences, and Democrats are job and business killers 😮

[@jimroscovius]

My wife's office allows the employees to work from home 1 or 2 days a week, but Tuesdays are office days for everyone. My wife chose Fridays. My daughter chose Mondays and Fridays. My wife works about 60 hours/week, including on Fridays. No, she doesn't work in her pjs. She gets up just as early and she's at her desk before 7:00 whether it's at the office or at home. She works through lunch, quits about 5:00, but gets on calls with her team members in China at night. Sorry, Dave, but my wife works just as hard, if not harder, from home than at the office. Plus, there are fewer distractions at home. I get the evil eye even if I try to say something 🙂

[@leechburglights]

Your wife is the exception... not the norm.

[@jimroscovius]

@@leechburglights Let people who have a great work ethic work from home one day a week. Make it something to work towards.

[@idasiek]

​@leechburglights It's not true. My job is really busy, I work mostly from home and I barely have time to stand up from my desk, sometimes to take lunch and I have to stay longer sometimes. It all depends on the job. We're getting an extra person because we're not coping with the workload, and I can tell you I'm more distracted in the office with people around me any time I'm there. I like it for the social aspect, but I get more done at home.

[@leechburglights]

@idasiek the majority of people produce better from a work center environment where they are not distracted from personal business going on around them. I'm not sure why it is controversial to say that someone who CAN work from home is the Exception to the rules. If they work from home without distraction then more power to you. But that doesn't chang how people work better on sight.

[@username00009]

@@leechburglightswhere are you sourcing your data, or are you going off of personal observations? Dave is off-base in this video, but he is also speaking from the experience of a small business owner whose employees can all work on one location. Working with colleagues across the country and in other countries is completely different.

[@fourhillsfarm]

Firstly, change lunch to a half hour. 60 min. is a waste of time. Secondly, consider staggering starting times in order to cover more hours of the day forcustomer service.

[@ShadowoftheRisingSun]

If working from home, sure...but in most cities, you're just getting your lunch 30 minutes after leaving work. Bringing lunch to work can be good, but it feels like a rush, honestly.

[@maybelater234]

Or just pay people for the breaks you expect them to waste farting around at work, since they have to pay an extra hour of childcare at the end of the day to accommodate you. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@dav2386thor]

I mean I do commercial hvac, skip lunch everyday. And on the days I don't work only work 8 hours, I work till end of the business day and get an hour or so overtime daily. People wanna work through lunch then just pay them overtime to stay till the end of the day.

[@ravanpee1325]

That is illegal in a lot of places

[@anndeecosita3586]

Half an hour only works if you bring your lunch or maybe have it delivered. Otherwise if you have to go somewhere for lunch, it’s time consuming with the drive there and back. Actually a lot of people including myself often work through lunch and eat at our desks.

[@roberteltze4850]

We're taking about IT workers they tend to be night owls. See if some are willing to come in an hour later so they can stay until 5. The issue some have when the boss sets a schedule of 8-5 with an hour lunch is that effectively occupies 9 hours of your day but you only get paid for 8.

[@RiverWoods111]

Yeah, I would get rid of the hour lunch to begin with. In some states you can get huge fines for not forcing your employees to take their lunch, it doesn't have to be an hour long, but they have to take it plus 2 breaks 15 minutes long.

[@jameseroh6544]

Work is different at different places. Dave has a point that people are not discussing. He has a business routine, and expects employees to follow it. I work a 12hr schedule with no scheduled breaks. But some days are relaxed, some are not. Other people in my job classification work 8hr shifts with scheduled breaks. I do get a 10% bonus for my schedule. And also get more days off.

[@timgibney5590]

Not everyone is a night owl. I work IT and my boss LOVES getting up at 4am and hanging out int he office. I do not. IT is always on the clock and works late hours doing implementations when people are not in the office. So as a result we get to work at home and have semi flexible hours. If this guy wants people to answer customer calls have them work at home so they are not stuck in traffic. SIMPLE

[@BusArch42]

And worse you get bugged during your lunch break. I take a 30 minutes because someone is going to be bothering me with work issues as long as I’m in ten building. One of my friends used to sit in her car so people couldn’t find her during lunch. Then someone saw her and they started knocking on the windows.

[@MustyGrapes]

Employees get paid for working, not having their time occupied. Driving to and from work occupies time as well.

[@patricklanders5607]

I run and manage a laboratory, my philosophy is the same that I came up under when I was a lowly tech. When the patients have results and the laboratory has been decontaminated, enjoy your day! Sometimes the techs leave @2:30/3PM and other times we are here for the full 8 and I end up staying longer to wrap it all up. Either way, if you do not value an employees time, you will not have happy employees.

[@FTG2Eli]

Make sure you have it in writing. Each state has a break law. Any disgruntled employee that leaves for whatever reason, them not getting the required break can come back and bite you.

[@RiverWoods111]

Exactly! That was what I was thinking! Huge fines!!!!

[@ravanpee1325]

Even when the employeé thinks it's okay, the break is probably mandatory not matter what

[@karnez05]

They love saying Genz and millennials don’t like to work. It’s pretty sad we have seen these old geezers screw over people for years. Dave and this caller is a prime example of why people hate jobs

[@Chet_24]

Watch, he'll call back in 3 months and say he can't find anyone to hire. 😅

[@ryanofottawa]

The analogy to parenthood is problematic. Working relationships should be contracts between two equal parties. Fully legitimate for either party to decide they're not getting what they require from the contract and look to change the terms so long as they acknowledge the other party might not agree and that will be the end of the relationship. That's not the same as parents and kids. In this case there's a problem being created by leaving early and if it can't be mediated through other means than the practice has to stop. But other possibilities like a rotating schedule of who stays late what nights to make sure there's adequate coverage for customers could also work.

[@janelleg597]

They are not equal parties if one foots the bill for the work

[@ryanofottawa]

@@janelleg597 one person foots the labour, the other the bill. That's the basis of the equality.

[@OleWiseOne]

​@@ryanofottawaThe laborer does not have the same responsibility or liability as the owner

[@ryanofottawa]

@@OleWiseOne Which is why the owner is awarded for their risk with the potential for profit. This doesn't change the equal vs paternalistic relationship between owner and labour.

[@timgibney5590]

@@janelleg597 Consider the employee/employer relationship like buying goods from a grocery store. Yes, I am old fashioned ... however if you need great talent for skilled labor you have to have different caliber for pay and working conditions or else they will go elsewhere. You can't get .99 cent store prices at a Whole Foods. They will refuse your money. Same is true for talent. In a recession SURE you can get a yes ma am employees. But in a boom like 2022 they will FLEE for remote jobs. At an Amazon warehouse sure you can treat employees as such as it doesn't take talent to move boxes

[@rachelharrison7961]

Try thinking out of the box. Maybe the employer can match that one employee with another who wants to come in an hour later and work through lunch. Or ask the one who wants to work through lunch if he/she can trade off days where they come in early with days they come in late. It feels like there are a bunch of potential solutions, but the caller was focused entirely on the keeping things exactly the same.

[@dan44zzt231]

Just Dave trying to do his usual 'I set the rules' speech. Try throwing your weight around with skilled IT and Cybersecurity staff and most of them could have a new job within the hour. Like you said, just tell them that at least 1 person has to be in between 4 and 5 and to work it out. Easy.

[@RiverWoods111]

Working through lunches and not taking them is illegal and in most states can earn you some huge fines for each person you are allowed to not take that lunch. It can be shortened to a 1/2 hour and he could stagger starting times.

[@StitchPup]

Dude, you have tons of employees. Give them all flex hours but make sure more shifts are covered. You can even do 3-12's and one 4 for some employees. You'll have more coverage and happier employees. Just explain to them that all shifts need coverage.

[@bobbyjones5377]

As an employee I’d prefer longer hours fewer days. Give me 2 12s and a 14 and I’ve got my week.

[@StitchPup]

@@bobbyjones5377 Exactly! And that's much better for customer service.

[@RiverWoods111]

Make productivity and performance their bidding power for shifts. That way the best employees get the first choice of shifts and the shit employees who don't work hard get what they get.

[@Gumby6583]

@@StitchPup yeah but then absolute control would not obtained. Most CEO’s can’t do that.

[@2kool4ukewlguy77]

In other words, Dave advises is to treats your employees like kids?

[@calebsmith4477]

Not just kids, prisoners even.

[@FrankSchmidberger]

Waaaa. He pays the employees...

[@calebsmith4477]

@@FrankSchmidberger Yeah, so does everybody else. Big deal. That doesn't mean you should compare employees to children or prisoners and expect any sort of respect. I get paid to do a job, not do whatever the owner wants, and I think you know that.

[@ronrollo5023]

the owner determines if u do the job@@calebsmith4477

[@JeremysJourneys1]

​@@calebsmith4477 your job is specifically related to what the owner wants from you. With no owner, no job

[@fathead3381]

I’d like to read what “data points” Dave is reading that say employees are more productive in the office. Because I’ve read multiple that say employees are more productive working remotely and with more schedule flexibility. I did however read a report that employers are scared their employees will be less productive remotely. That probably better fits what he’s dealing with.

[@suebecker9972]

Productivity in WFH depends a lot on the nature of the job. Some workplaces the staff work very collaboratively and WFH is a mess. Other workplaces WFH is better. It just depends. What's best for company A isn't necessarily best for company B

[@USMC6976]

I think it depends on how you define "productivity". Some employers say, being on time and not leaving early. Others define it as getting the job done. The question comes down to, what are you paying for - input or output?

[@arh1234]

Data shows more productive, less creative in WFH. So works well for short periods, but is very dangerous for companoes that want to survive long-term

[@USMC6976]

@@arh1234 Not really. The problem is, the company focus changes. They begin to focus on output and not the input. People begin to meet expectations and stop working, that is, they accomplish in 4 hours what they are being paid for 8 hours. Thus the largest beneficiary of this gain is the individual, not the company. If you're sitting at the company and they see you finished your work, they give you more. Thus the company thinks productivity increases, what it ignores is the amount of time the employee will delay completion to make up for this. Individuals have a fair sense of what "a days wage for a days work" is, and companies are always trying to change it.

[@timgibney5590]

@@arh1234 Prove it? the only one I saw was from Microsoft and they used time sitting in meetings as productivity. Less meetings means less productive. SMH. What I saw is more engagement and longer hours when people work at home

[@Mikethemerciless11]

Let me give you a perspective from France. I am a former American, who emigrated to France after my time in the French Foreign Legion, and now I work as a contractor pilot. I'm married to a woman who runs a cafe in Lyon, and she only works like five hours a day, mainly on weekends after Mass, and the place is only open from about 10AM to 6PM, and most of her employees only work five to six hour days. Most people here work about the same amount of time, between a thirty to thirty-five hour week. I'm rather an outlier, in that my job requires I might have to work longer hours. An eight-hour working day, in the States especially, is a huge chunk of your waking day working. In the States, if you require people to commute to a place of work, that means they will likely need a car, because mass transit in the States is rather bad compared to Europe. That means a commute in traffic, which may be long, so that adds onto the eight hour day. That's time and energy out of your day that you could be using to handle things in your personal life as you need to. Which leads to more stress, because your life is not in real good order, even if you make good money to afford some affluence. And, Lord forbid, you work as a manager or as an executive, where you actually now have to devote some of your mental energy and devotion to the company you work for, a company that will never give them the same devotion (including, obviously, yours Dave, or shall I bring up an unpleasant topic?), because that's even more stressful. On top of that, you get fewer days off, and, if you're lucky, get your two weeks of vacation, if that. By contrast, here in France, we work to live, not live to work. No employer, here, expects you to sacrifice anything for the company. We get all kinds of time off. We get five weeks of Holiday, and Paid Sick Leave, Maternity Leave, Bereavement Leave, and so on, and we get plenty of work done besides. Most of us don't need a car to get to work, and if we do, it's probably because someone took a job in a different city, maybe even a different country, and so it's just easier and more convenient to drive. My wife and I get on the bus to go to work, and I watch her get off in downtown Lyon, and I go out to the airport. When I get back, she's already been home before the kids come home from school, she's got them doing chores and their homework, and I come in around 4 or 5PM and I have plenty of time to hang out with everyone, help make some dinner (served after 8PM - that's a French thing), and chill out with a walk in the neighborhood, talking with folks, drinking wine. We get so much done in the mornings and afternoons that we have order in our lives, something that I think most Americans don't have the time for. What's more, we make enough that we don't feel as though we have to work any harder to make ends meet. I'm not a socialist, but I think France has the best health care system in the world, because while you may compare the overall quality versus American health care, at the same time, the French never have to worry about losing their health care if they lose their job, or even losing their jobs if they get injured or sick. Housing is generally more affordable here, but it is getting more and more unaffordable as Macron allows more invaders into the country to subvert the ethnic French vote. Our bills are low, inflation is not nearly as bad as it is in the States, and our money goes further. Education is affordable here. Also, if you're going to be fired, or laid off, your employer has to give you two months notice. Oh, and we don't have nearly the politically correct bullshit that American employers have to impose on employees. We have datapoints that indicate that employees do their best work when they only work about four to five hours, and that's because they have the most energy to do so, and if you can alleviate things that might stress them out, like giving them more time off to live, they will work even harder for you because, Dave, and lean in closer for this one: THEY'RE HAPPY! Happiness. You ought to try to sow that in your company. Whatever your datapoints may say doesn't necessarily mean A) they're accurate, or B) you're interpreting them correctly. And here's another thing Americans ought to learn: The customer isn't always right. Customers, if they need something from you, will wait for a good time that works with you to help them.

[@Eirikr430428]

Sounds like a great system! Americans must always keep size/scale and demographics in mind when discussing transportation woes. We ought to have the greatest system in the world, but for problems that could be managed!

[@chrisporter3687]

Who's taking care of the customer during "lunch hour?" Dave seems to have a lingering issue with employees that quit his company to work from home.

[@nicholasselke5214]

Either the business is closed for lunch or the timing of the lunch breaks are staggered

[@tonydarcy7475]

@@nicholasselke5214 If lunch breaks can be staggered, then why can't start and finish times be staggered? I agree that not everyone can leave early, but if some people leave early, others start late and the rest take a lunch break, then how is that an issue? This would also make it sound like the employer is trying their best to find a solution that works for everyone, which is great for employee moral and should make people less likely to quit over the issue. Employers with a "it's my way or the highway" attitude tend to be the ones that complain about high staff turnover and/or talent shortages. It is their right to make the rules (as long as it is legal), but they shouldn't be surprised when employees find a more flexible employer, especially if the pay is similar and/or better.

[@caboose2016]

Same issue in similar field. Compromise was adjusting start times for half the employees. With tech support all lunches turned to working lunches, half employees started at 8 a.m other at 9 a.m, switch every 2 weeks. Customers were still taken care of.

[@fleabag2mr.151]

California will sue you if you don't give a meal break whether they want it or not. The company I worked for was fined 60 million for this violation. Word to the wise, never start a business in California!

[@vickieclark5931]

That's one of the reasons CA sucks. Nothing worse than being at work an extra hour without getting paid for it. Personally, I think it should be up to the employees. Some want a break and some don't.

[@eobardthawne324]

​@vickieclark5931 If you're working until a certain time regardless of the lunch break then California is helping you.

[@scott4825]

1 hour lunch break is excessive. It's effectively a 9 hour day. Most people will eat in 20 minutes, and then work 40 for free or have to waste their time. My guess is that he doesn't have a problem finding people during that one hour lunch break to assist customers, and having them work during break. Also, a lot of software people probably put in extra time at home in the evening. So I think the solution is to provide structured flexibility. Set some boundaries to allow them some flexibility while still making sure the work gets done and customer needs are met. At my job, once the work is done I need to decompress and the last half hour before I clock out is largely wasted; however, I'm good at going home and then putting in a couple hours in the late evening. Also, if I leave 30 minutes early, I am able to avoid 20 minutes of traffic. Frankly, I'd rather work 9-10 hours than be forced to take a 1 hour lunch break. As for lazy millennials, back when I was a kid in 1980 they had a movie about people mistreated during their normal working hours. The movie was called 9 to 5. 9 to 5 is an "8 hour day". Boomers forget that their generation had a saying "sex, drugs and rock and roll", and their parents generation had a saying "never hire anyone under 30". There have been lots of very lazy people as well as hardworking people in every generation. And while many people worked harder at their hourly job 50 years ago, they did so in part because those jobs had benefits and were more of a career with upward mobility. 40-50 years ago if someone worked at a department store they had insurance, some retirement, and in time decent pay. On that note, I've never seen a lazy person at Chik Fil A because they pay for better employees.

[@ravanpee1325]

It's no matter when you need to comply to labour laws and risk a big fine

[@vickieclark5931]

@@ravanpee1325 That's why the government needs to stay out of everyone's business. They do more harm to the little people than they do the corporations when they try to control everything.

[@anniec3438]

Dave seems against work from home-wfh. I do the exact same job at my 2 days of wfh as I do my 3 days in office. The reality is i waste gas money, commute time, and office space when I have to work in office. Some peoples job is not creative. I work alone regardless and my boss is not asking for my feedback. WFH does make a lot of sense in some environments. Dave is being an old curmudgeon on this subject.

[@user-ee1fn4vt8b]

"my signature on the freakin' paycheck" The classic "I pay you, so I own you" mindset.

[@idkmanidcman3158]

"I hired you with these expectations in mind, and you are not meeting them, so if you would like to continue be employed by me you have to do the job, I hired you to do."

[@thodan467]

@@idkmanidcman3158 look at my contract

[@drewbdu9189]

It's kind of wild how you twisted this into that when it's not that at all.

[@Justin-e4c]

I feel entitled to say I quit. I'm 44. I've had enough of other people's dreams

[@caboose2016]

​@@Justin-e4cbye felicia

[@privateinfo1711]

If people are getting work done and you have employees working the hours you need, some flexibility should be given to the employees. Different employees may need flexibility: health issues, elderly parents, young children, graduate school, etc.

[@cdub6530]

Depending on where the company is located, allowing employees to work through a meal break may actually be illegal. Here in California, a meal break is mandatory for employees who work five hours or more during a workday with consequences for the employer if an employee misses a meal break. There is an exception in the law that allows for a six hour workday without a meal break, but it requires that the employee sign a form acknowledging that they are willingly giving up the right to meal break. If I understand the law correctly, it is the duty of managers and supervisors to make sure that employees not only are allowed their breaks, but actually take them.

[@jphillips247]

That would be for nonexempt employees, doubt these folks are.

[@murraybeachtel8585]

Need to see the data on working from home as there are many peer reviewed studies that show employees are more productive from home. Less interruptions, no commute, less time off, and less non essential meetings.

[@RiverWoods111]

Ramsey is just salty because he built this huge building to house all his employees and now no one wants to work in offices. You are right, working from home is actually more productive. It should though be a position that is earned and not just handed out. You have to be the best at your job if you want to go home to work.

[@sewerrat7612]

Depends on. The individual personality and work ethic. Some people just need a more formal structure to be productive. Sounds great in theory we tried it where I work ended up getting rid of most of the administrative side when they wouldn't come back to an office.

[@leechburglights]

The data is pretty clear. Productivity falls when the majority of the work crew is not located or working centrally. Remember, they are the employers and they set the rules to running the business. Sure there are a select few team members who can work effectively from home. But in general there are far more distractions at home.

[@jphillips247]

​@@leechburglightsthis is bullshit I don't have to deal with the endless chatter of other folks, the being friendly to folks I barely know, or any of the office politics. I ended up working far later in day as I don't look at clock as much and decided it is time to pack up, and when stuff breaks at 2am in morning my workstation is right there for me too get busy

[@murraybeachtel8585]

Consider 8:30 to 5:00 as a full hour is on the longer side for lunch. If your hours are posted 8:00 to 5:00 consider letting some come in 30 minutes early or leave 30 minutes early. I would treat adults like adults in any case.

[@pmeehan_3]

My company has data points showing that we have been just as productive, if not more, working from home since the pandemic started.

[@nateduncan7089]

The days of being chained to your desk for many people have gone the way of the dodo. I can do much of my work remotely, but I do need to be physically in the office to get some things done. I come in stay as long as I need to, to get the job done and then I take it remote. I can answer phone calls, and emails from home. I can take video calls from my home office. Then there are some days when I need to be at the office all day because that's what my work load dictates. Now not every job is like that, but the whole you need to be in the office, because this is where you work idea is kind of antiquated if you can take work wherever you go. The point of work is to complete your tasks and in my case make sure our clients are well served and if that is being done who cares where it is being done at.

[@JosiePC44]

Why can't customer service be done from home?

[@Gumby6583]

It can. Boomers loose there minds over this tho

[@brianbird3756]

Because I tripped over your lawn gnome.

[@RiverWoods111]

He has customers coming into the business. Not all customer service is call center work.

[@joem1950]

Because ppl that work from home are less effective workers, I don't care what ppl say. All of my friends who work from home admit they do nothing compared to being at work while on the clock.

[@Gumby6583]

@@joem1950 people who are productive at the office are also productive at home. And vise versa.

[@BuddyHoyt]

What some business owners don’t seem to understand is that they’re not just competing with other businesses for customers. They’re also competing with other businesses for employees. If you won’t offer your employees competitive compensation (not just in pay but also in intangible benefits like a flexible schedule), your competitors might offer them a deal worth leaving you for.

[@BrDavid1]

It would depend on the situation of the employee. Wanting to work from home is not always about comfort or “laziness.” The Millennials and down may have children, and they can’t afford the cost of child care these days. Not everyone can do it the traditional way of dad going to work and mom staying home. Sometimes both have to work, and the money still can’t seem to come in fast enough to care for important provisions.

[@Hiltegard]

You were hired with the understanding of a set schedule means you work the schedule agreed upon. Now I do think laziness is something that a select number of all generations have, Not just millennials and GenZ.

[@randyeverson8296]

Customer service from home or in office all depends on the business model. Sounds like Ramsey has a clear expectation up front, which is fair.

[@janem3575]

the problem with certain employees not taking their allotted breaks is they take unofficial breaks. like the trips to the coffee shop that wasn't really a break even though it took 12 minutes. the 4 smoke breaks. the eating at the desk with no work actually getting done, but because they didn't leave their desk, it wasn't a break. the playing of videos while they're working. constant useage of social media. texting. planning of parties and outings. that all adds up. and it shows in their lack of productivity. which management doesn't see.

[@AtTheLees]

Reward the employees who stay.

[@Irving-gp9oc]

I'm a retired baby boomer. Get to the office 30 minutes before "start" time, take a lunch break for the mental relief, and stay 30 minutes afterward. Before leaving each evening, always prepare a Priority list with 3 items to "hit" when you get in the next morning. Instead of Yapping each morning for 30 minutes before the "start" time, you then have 2-1/2 hours each week of Focus time on your Priority List before the proverbial bell rings each day. For the last 15 years of my work life as an EMPTY NESTER, I worked 4 hours on Sunday afternoon and got in the office 3 hours before "game time" on Monday. That way I had 7 hours of uninterrupted time before the Opening Bell rang. I did that on Wed and Fri, too but carved out T, Th as exercise time and would come into the office at 9 each of those days.

[@Grigsy]

In person collaboration does not work and is a myth. You get the same results from hybrid and remote work. The only reason why in person work is still supported is to subsidize the real estate market.

[@scott4825]

I think it depends on the type of work, but with most jobs, it isn't needed.

[@Fishouta]

But if all your employees take lunch, then that is still an hour where you are not serving the customer.

[@mikepaulus4766]

I was in the military, so I put in a few 24+ hour work days. A few years after getting out I had a call center job and at first 8 hours of talking all day fatigued my voice. After a few months I got used to it. Overtime available, I worked up to 10, and then 12 hours in a day. A few times I tried to do 13+ but it got really hard. I learned to limit it to 12 hours. That was with the good work ethic I had from before and during the military.

[@mrdavidson1815]

My job does 4 10 hour shifts Monday-Thurs. It’s great having a 3 day weekend most of the time, and if we do work on Friday, we usually leave at lunch with 45 hours. Hard to beat that setup.

[@alexandersims1613]

As someone who has done this for 7 years, it's not an issue. Giving people 5 less hours a week of free time, plus asking them to work OT for free (salary), wage increases that don't keep up with inflation, etc. will motivate good talent to go elsewhere.

[@nicholasbaker2904]

facts. Good luck keeping staff in the long run with this mentality.

[@Chet_24]

For real. Its sad that you have to switch jobs every 2 or 3 years to actually get a raise.

[@Cactusbrigade]

Every business owner I know that has had long-term employees and a happy workplace has been willing to work with their employees as people rather than just say “I sign your checks so do I want you to.” If it doesn’t work for the business, then yeah obviously something has to give. But why don’t you try asking your employees why they want to do it and have an open convo with them? Find the minimum number of people you need to cover the last hour and have them rotate who says later each day. Or have a group come in an hour later. There’s room for compromise. Just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean you should throw your weight around and put your foot down when there could be a solution that helps both parties.

[@jdkoz98]

How about you leave when the works done

[@ddc2343d]

Being flexible is critical for retaining good employees. As an IT consultant, I have worked with many different clients. I was once at an IT company that operated from 8 AM to 5 PM, run by an older manager who was extremely rigid. Because of this inflexibility, they kept losing talented employees. One of their employees took the bus to work every day and consistently arrived about 20 minutes before 8 AM due to the bus schedule. Despite this, the company would not allow him to leave until exactly 5 PM. If he had been allowed to leave just 10 minutes early, it would have saved him 45 minutes on his commute home. I was astonished that they were so strict over a mere 10 minutes, especially to keep such a talented individual. I was there for a couple of years, and eventually, he decided to leave. He was probably their best programmer, but the management was more focused on enforcing rules than on keeping valuable employees.

[@Shortstacksandticktacks]

In the call Dave reminds everyone that his name is on the building. He brings up the parent-child relationship, and says, "the inmates don't run thr asylum." Then he takes a big dump on Gen Z and Millennial. All because they want to work 8 hours straight through instead of getting an hour break. What an absolute control freak Boomer. The caller claims to be worried about having customer service available during the full day, but who is answering during the lunch break never gets answered.

[@dan44zzt231]

Surely the 'core' hours that staff have to be at their desk to take customer calls is in their contract right?

[@kgetz3]

Dave’s a dinosaur. How about this: a 4-day work week! That is what is needed for work life balance for young families.

[@RobertDeffley-l4r]

Customer service you have to be five days a week. Those employees should be lucky it’s a Monday - Friday and not weekends too.

[@kgetz3]

@@RobertDeffley-l4r Stagger the schedules. Many nurses work 14 hr days, 3 days a week yet there’s always coverage. Five 8’s is not gospel.

[@animebodypillow2959]

@@RobertDeffley-l4r I work 6 days a week at 10.5 hours a day I would love to work 4, 12 hour days instead even if it were more time

[@googleuser2426]

When I needed a different schedule i found a different job. When I got hired it was in the description of details : hours, rate of pay etc....How would you feel if your employer decided not to oay you the rate you agreed on??? You might be a little upset

[@Gumby6583]

But they aren’t leaving “early” they are still working the same amount of hours….

[@caboose2016]

Office hours are 8-5. With a 1 hour lunch in the middle. How can you serve customers from 4-5 if all employees went home? I get it's the same amount of hours if working through lunch, but owner should have laid out a mandatory 1 hour break if they are to keep helping customers after 4

[@Gumby6583]

@@caboose2016 who helps the customers from 12-1?

[@caboose2016]

@Gumby6583 no-one. Closed for lunch. Difficulty in changing office hours from 8-4 is most places are still open till 5 (at least places that need tech support) I'd have half workforce start at 8 and other start at 9.

[@Gumby6583]

@@caboose2016 most places don’t close for lunch. lol

[@caboose2016]

@Gumby6583 alot of places do actually...ever wonder why your place in the call que is a long wait? Or they call you back?

[@hathatshop]

I work more and ‘better’ at home…honestly. Less interruptions, less noise ( I’m in finance)…I focus better, I multi-task better…I guess I’m an anomaly because I take great pride in my work. I’ve worked at 9 pm, 11pm at night because we are world wide. Where I work is less important than my own internal drive

[@hollisconant2566]

in most states there are laws on being a employer on lunch breaks

[@Famekom]

The company I work for pay for our breaks, 8hrs is 8hrs. Everyone is happy and work gets done. Seeing the success of a straight 8hrs I will model my business like that in the future!

[@alejmc]

8:05 woah! As much as I like Ramsey’s advice those hints of power enjoyment are disheartening to the cause: he refers to his employees as toddlers (“you have to remind them who is mommy and daddy”), as prisoners (“the inmates don’t run the prison”), “I pay you and you work” (and then cackles). For what is worth, he is many generations ago… not like the new generations are doing any better, but when this era finally finishes I believe new and better ways will be able to flourish. All that said, great show and great question.

[@yuckyool]

For several years at one of my jobs, I loved, loved, loved what I did. I had to be in contact with lots of people all over the country, especially in Central and Pacific time-zones. To do this, I had to be around thru and past 7pm Eastern to support those folks . . . It didn't take my boss to tell me to alter my schedule; my clients did.

[@cyrushogwood6685]

@EntreLeadership Check the law! Oregon state labor law requires employees to take mandatory breaks between designated times of the day.

[@cyrushogwood6685]

FAQ: If an employee works through the lunch period and wants to leave 30 minutes early, may allow that? A: Generally, no. If it is possible for you to provide the 30-minute meal period, you must do so and require the employee to take the meal break. If, however, one of the exceptions to the requirement to provide a meal period applies, you must pay the employee for working through the meal period, and you may then choose to shorten the employee’s work shift.​

[@vickieclark5931]

Yeah, the communist states do have those laws in place. Big government always puts their noses in where they don't belong. And of course they say they do it for the little people cause they care. LOL Makes me laugh when I hear that.

[@GeoFry3]

There are plenty of reasons to leave early. A particular one is being stuck in traffic, which they are not getting paid for. Pay them more specifically for that increased travel time, and I bet they'll stop asking to leave early. The typical day. Leave early get home in 25min Leave "on time" and the commute time becomes 1h 15min. So yes, you are being short-sighted and as a result you are going to lose your more intelligent employees.

[@RichardKanter]

I'm 47yrs old. $73,000 biweekly and I'm retired, this video have inspired me greatly in many ways that I remember my past of how I struggled with many things in life to be where I am today!!!!❤️

[@MeganMars-x]

I'm inspired. Please spill some sugar about the biweekly stuff you mentioned

[@RichardKanter]

It's Christina Ann Tucker doing she's changed my life. A BROKER- like her is what you need.

[@RichardKanter]

It seems like Christina doesn't just see trading as a way to make money for herself. She's been actively teaching others her strategies and helping them achieve financial independence too.

[@NateMilla]

I do know Christina A. Tucker, I also have even become successful....

[@MeganMars-x]

How do I get connection to this woman you speak about!!?

[@shidinje]

The main problem for me is that it messes with the office calendar/schedule. For instance having a set 4pm closing time means anyone can visit me or submit a document up till 4pm. Or schedule a meeting or something. Much better than having people leave at random times and you cant determine which day youll have staff till 3pm or till 4pm. Im glad with the way Dave answers. Its affecting the system. Customers will expect to be answered till 4pm, not caring if anyone skipped lunch to close early. And for rules like this, its always better to have them uniform. Let everyone be subject to it, to avoid favouritism attacks

[@Sunflowers-Pumpkins]

Flexibility is a great perk. If you can offer flexibility with little to no cost to you, do it. Sometimes flexibility is more important than money to an employee

[@therandysmith697]

You can run your business, however you want. But, if you don’t embrace a hybrid work style. If you don’t think working from home can be efficient, you’re missing the train.

[@DioDiablo702]

I work 12 hour shifts. 8 hours is nothing. If you can't handle an 8-hour shift, that normally comes with an hour lunch and 30 minutes worth of break, then you're going to struggle as an adult.

[@timgibney5590]

Cybersecurit IT folks work around the clock and always on call. Sometimes it's 30 hours a week. Sometimes it is a 50 hour straight shift in an incident. Not everyone has low or semi skilled experience who is desperate for a job that everyone can do. Therefore you increase the pay and working conditions to retain talent or they go elsewhere. SImple

[@alexxavier1095]

You got soft hands

[@michaelspencer3586]

Exactly. My goal everyday is to get over 11 hours a day at the very least. Plus it’s all about the money nowadays.

[@GlendaR173]

Why if someone works 9 hours a day, then why is there no flexibility? For example I just got a customer message me at 8:30 tonight. I am not at work?

[@MatthewR-MN]

Does Dave ever listen to himself? He sounds as entitled as the Millennials and Gen Z employees he chastises. Your name may be on the side of the building, but luck played a bigger role in that than you are giving credit for. You may sign the check, but that doesn't mean you always know what is best. You don't own the business, you steward the business and God put you in that position to serve your employees and community just as much as he put you there to serve your customers. There are more than two ways to handle this situation and he goes right to, "it's my way or the highway" without any critical thought.

[@joshuatate5671]

😂

[@bray7431]

It is his business? He’s free to handle it the way he see’s fit as long as god gives him the power to! He doesn’t have to let any work from home it’s not some immoral sin

[@wade_says]

This is a major concern I have seen for employees. I know many who work 7:30 to 4:30 or 8:00 to 4:00 while skipping lunch. Most of the time it’s because they want to spend more time with their spouse and children. Or even beat traffic. Most of the time it’s a good reason. What aggravates me is that those old school people who look down on this concept and look down on working from home when they themselves will take long bathroom breaks or chat with others for extended periods. I think as long as the work gets done, the time frame does t matter.

[@Yeemaster345]

After this speech, any Ramsey employee with any sense at all would be looking for another job. What an absolute tyrant.

[@lindamishalanie5593]

Lol😂

[@LopezBoricua]

Why??? 😂

[@Jeremiahking101]

He's got boomer syndrome.

[@jkhoover]

Such a stupid comment.

[@cmrdrgz]

It's Ramseys company. All this should've been made known during the hiring process. Why demand or ask to work from home? People need to apply for jobs that allow this to begin with, not once you are hired.

[@J__HUTTON]

Having your break at the end if the day means that last hours is unpaid lunch break

[@joshuakelly9743]

This guy can do what he wants, but as someone who works in software, I wouldn’t work for him. The question isn’t about working the same amount. It’s about a very small amount of flexibility and shows a general lack of trust of the employees.

[@meljordan220]

What about the employees that are not there to handle the customers that show up? I don't think it's unreasonable to make sure you have employees to take care of customers for the last hour of business. Should he close his doors an hour early? Just asking. I still say if some people want to show up an hour late and cover that last hour and some people show up early and leave an hour early that would be fine. But when their job is to help customers somebody has to cover that last hour. It's not about flexibility in this particular situation.

[@fuzbeatboxern5714]

If they work through lunch that's still 40 hours.

[@maxpendley4357]

This guy is being unreasonable. Just listen to your employees and understand why. You have enough people to be flexible. He also didn’t say it on the call, but if they’re a security consulting group, I promise you their work doesn’t stay within the means of 8-5. He probably just wants people in the office during that time because that’s the way it’s always been and he doesn’t want to change it. Also, it’s not workplace activism, Dave. It’s called using your worth in the market to leverage what you want. It’s not “you should let me work from home because it’s what I want” it’s “I want to work from home and will have no hard time finding that opportunity if you don’t give it to me first”. Sure, this guy may want things his way, but allowing people to work through lunch is such a small price to pay to get/retain quality talent. If they don’t get it there, they’ll get it somewhere else. No problem.

[@benden5095]

I see nothing wrong with the request. If his employees want to sacrifice and work through their lunch hour, the boss should find a way to make it work. Stagger the starting time of your employees. They are not stealing time. They are trading in their lunch lunch hour.

[@BuddyHoyt]

Exactly!

[@kuhndog-1196]

I'm sorry but anyone who leads with how much they make as bragging rights is full of themselves. This guy is the boss you don't want to work for. My way or the highway.

[@dyates6380]

How did he brag? He was setting parameters. He was setting up the question by letting Dave know the size, scope, annual revenue generated and finally the number of employees he has. For a specific reason - like showing he's not a corner store owner with three employees and he's not a huge manufacturer with five hundred ones, and to me it sounded like he was asking Dave his opinion on whether he thought he was wrong. What are you talking about? You are making laughable assumptions about this guy from his three sentences? LOL.

[@wittenberg5]

@@dyates6380 He's jealous. Simple and plain. Too many jealous people worried about others instead of improving their own lives.

[@kuhndog-1196]

@dyates6380 that has nothing to do with folks working through lunch. The amount of employees and the income of the business are not affected by the question. I'm not jealous of the guy, good for him. That being said, I know this guy. Worked for plenty like him. They take the "power" way too seriously. This is the guy that hands out 50 dollar bonuses and acts like everyone should bow down in praise.

[@stormtruppo]

I cannot tell you how many people can get their work done in the day in 4-6 hours and really just stretch out that 8 hour window. I think it should be based on your workload. I've had days where I needed 10 hours and either worked late or that worked resumed into the next morning. I've had other days where I'm done in 3 hours and trying to keep "looking busy" for the other 5. If you insist on 40 hours a week, I'd rather do 4 days at 10 hours because sometimes, 2 days off just isn't enough to either get things done at home or for my mental energy.

[@KrisFlix]

Yeah, but most are paid by the hour. So are you saying you would rather be paid for 25 to 30 hours a week?

[@Winnie-Kay]

There are multiple reasons for taking a break in the middle of the day. One is, toward the end of the day, will the employee be able to give the customer quality service or will the employee be hungry, irritable, and tired?

[@semosancus5506]

You can eat on the fly

[@scott4825]

Traditionally, most workers would get two 15 minute breaks. Then there would be a 1/2 hour lunch break that may or may not have been off the clock. Seems like the employer is using an hour break to get extended coverage for customer support. Also, it's cybersecurity IT support, so my guess is that a lot of these employees are salaried and on call.

[@semosancus5506]

@@scott4825 Also recall that there are places that have mandatory breaks. Remember in Texas they passed (or tried) a law to mandate water breaks, but the guys doing the work really didn't want them. They wanted to start at 6 am, work straight through to 2 and leave so they could get out of the really bad heat of the day.

[@JGComments]

Be careful. In a lot of states, you’re in legal jeopardy if your employees don’t take at least a 30 minute lunch break.

[@ashtonaustin3785]

I believe the BETTER solution is this: • if everyone takes a lunch break 12-1pm, then there’s a 1 hour gap in the day of response time to customers. Untimely response = unhappy customer (depending on the nature of issue) • why not ask the rest of the customer service facing employees if they would like to choose a day to go home early & work through lunch, the same day every week. And stagger the work schedules so that not everyone goes home early on the same day. Same as you would handle vacations or PTO. This way customer’s needs are met in a timely way, you close the gap during lunch hour, your employees feel heard and valued, they get to spend more time with their families, and now they feel like part of the solution & not the problem. They are now more connected and invest in THEIR workplace, not just yours. How’s that?

[@BuddyHoyt]

That makes perfect sense. The fact that the caller hasn’t thought about that doesn’t speak well of his competency to run a business.

[@1wJan]

Honestly. If you want an employee to be at work for 9 hours then you need to pay them for 9 hours. If you pay them for 8 hours, well then they are free to leave after 8 hours of work. If you have a support window that is 9 hours then you just put up a schedule where some of the people that want to skip lunch start an hour later. Problem solved. :) You as an employee also need to see the needs of your employees. Ex we have one person that needs to leave at 3pm to pick up his kid. And then he comes in, in the evening and finishes up his day's work from home. We help him with his life puzzle and in return we get a more loyal co-worker. We expect people to work extra and stick around if we run into a problem that needs to be fixed ASAP and in return for their flexibility we try to be flexible back, when it is not an emergency. This give and take makes everyone more happy and we get more out of everybody.

[@Nick-bd2yv]

If every person takes the same hour break, isnt that the same gap in customer service? Why not have a staggered schedule

[@JahAmericanNY]

I love how Dave went on a work from home rant, while this guy question was about employees wanting to work thru lunch and leaving work 1hr early

[@davidg.9561]

I'm from Gen X. My parents are Boomers. My Dad had something like twenty-five years perfect attendence on the job, only finally taking unplanned time off due to a medical emergency. He worked on his wedding day, took half-days when his kids were born, etc. And he isn't a wealthy guy. Just loyal to a company that eventually decided he was over paid and eliminated his position. A lot of his work ethic passed to me. I go to work sick, miss family functions, etc all for a company that considers me a replacable cog. My point is... I don't want this for my kids. Good on the younger generations for demanding better treatment from employers. We don't work on Henry Ford's assembly line any more. Thanks to technology, there are infinite ways to make a living. Commuting an hour each way from the suburbs to an 8-5 workday with mandatory lunch break should be a thing if the past for a lot of industries.

[@julieanncheshire9960]

It's also a matter of state employment law. Not giving a lunch break would be illegal in many states.

[@patrickfreeman9460]

This changes a lot when you are looking to hire highly specialized talent. If there are only 1,000 people in the country who are qualified for a particular job, sometimes that efficiency tradeoff is worthwhile just to access the talent. This is ESPECIALLY true when the role is so highly compensated that the applicants don't even care what the salary is, or how much you're outbidding your competition. I know this from personal experience, because that's how I got a privileged work-from-home arrangement before I started my own firm.

[@kvernesdotten]

I feel like this conversation is extremely charged and that both parties are talking while thinking of something else, because whats being said here is not really conducive with the title of the video nor the question in the banner across the screen. If the question is whether or not some employees can ask to move their lunch, I dont understand why we are discussing things like work from home and the length of the work day. In my mind this should be a simple question of scheduling, but it really sounds like the topic is very... charged? If this is a question employees ask, then wouldnt it be logical to first look at whether or not their position allows for that, obviously the entire customer service department cannot leave at the same exact time during business hours, but that doesnt mean some cant on occasion when something comes up. Then move to clarify if the employees mean for this to be a one-off or upon-request thing or something they are free to do on their own accord. I think its more important that the arrangement has a clear framework around it rather than what decision is made. And theres plenty of solutions to the "problem" too, many places have offset shifts that rotate such that one group works 7-3, another works 9-5 that allows both the employer to ensure coverage and employees some degree of freedom like this. I do think its correct to entertain the idea and see if its doable, if this is something that means alot to the employees though. The data is pretty clear on the productivity of employees who feel taken care of and heard too, and even if you end up deciding against it for whatever reason, I dont think shooting it down without talking about it is the correct call. People respond alot better to not having their suggestion or idea picked if they actually know it was considered and not just shot down. Props to the caller for actually going out of his way to ask for help when unsure though, that in itself shows someone who cares imo.

[@edwinmondragon3762]

The point is, you have expectations, the employees have expectations. The best fit for employee and employer is when those expectations match. Do what works for you and you will build a crew that is a fit.

[@RKirby]

In many states as an employer you could get into problems if they don't take at least a 30 minute undisturbed lunch break. (In Washington state, employees must receive a meal period of at least 30 minutes after working more than five hours in a shift. The meal period must begin between the second and fifth hour of the shift.) You can say it's not up to us it's the laws.

[@brambledemon1232]

My company got sued for not providing lunch breaks and they lost. Make sure you check your State laws. You need to make sure you don’t run afoul of state laws.

[@90daydifference]

This is why you as an employee agree to particular terms before joining.

[@TheVasMan]

I am usually on the old crotchety guys team, but not on this one. To recap Dave’s position: 1) You aren’t being unreasonable! 2) you don’t need a reason, you are the boss, do whatever you want! 3) Tell your team it is about customer service! (Whether or not that is really an issue!) 4) Tell your team you never changed your mind! (Even when you already told some of them the exact opposite of the new rule you are making up) 5) If a significant fraction of your team quota over this to go do tech work elsewhere, in a field where probably half of people work from home, that proves THEY are being unreasonable and you are really right.

[@stephanied.k.3589]

Flex scheduling where adults are responsible is a WONDERFUL thing. It's a great productive environment. Set some boundaries to ensure that there is coverage for the customer issues. With hourly workers it can be more complicated because labor law. In my state it says 1/2 hr plus 2 15 min breaks during a scheduled 8 hr work day. A 7 hr work day is only entitled to 2 15 min breaks so the eating at your desk through your lunch break and leaving early never seemed ethical or legal to me.

[@alfre4554]

Ethical and legal are vary, very different.