Can employees surf web during lunch breaks? 07-07-2005

Pertaining to the time you have before you start work, break and lunch. Are these times considered personal or company time? Are you allowed to do anything with this time? Can an employee browse the internet (non-work related) on their lunch time? Is there a federal or state law that governs what an employee can do during their lunch break or is it left to company policy?

Rita Risser replies:

There are no federal laws. Your state may say, as some do, that lunch time must be completely free. But the employer by policy can prohibit people from using its equipment or facilities during lunch for personal activities. You can force people to leave their office area, assuming there is someplace reasonable for them to go.

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