Legal Question in Administrative Law in California

Re: Lunch Hours

I am not sure I understand what is going on. If the co-worker is coming back after your lunch hour is supposed to start at 1 pm so you have to stay at the phones and he will not give you your full lunch hour, then he is wrong. Ask him whether he wants you to stay and operate the phones or just leave at your appointed lunch hour time. He can not reduce the amount of time you have for your lunch hour if that is part of your contract [verbal or written agreement]. If he will not listen to reason, tell him that you must protect yourself from being criticized for helping the company, so you will have to go to the next level of supervision to determine what the company wants you to do, including being paid overtime for working during your authorized lunch hour. But try to be diplomatic, as you are probably an at will employee who can be fired without reason.