Legal Question in Employment Law in California

No. This is an illegal labor practce. You are entitled by law to lunch and break times, and to overtime and/or penalties if you are forced to work through those times. If you are the only person affected by this policy, you should file a claim with the Labor Commissioner and/or consult with a local attorney. If you work for a company that has a practice of doing this to its other employees in addition to yourself, all of your coworkers might be entitled to take action as a class. My firm handles such class actions throughout California. Please call for a no-cost consultation.

No. Requiring work during breaks and lunch is improper, and creates unpaid OT, and gives grounds for a complaint to the Labor Commissioner, or a lawsuit. If the situation has been going on for a long time, and substantial OT and penalties have been generated, feel free to contact me to discuss your rights and remedies.