Net Raging About If Missouri Required to Let Workers Take a Break

People are hot and bothered about this. There's a white-hot conversation raging on the internet about a picture shared from a Missouri business that infers they are not required to let their workers take a break. Dumpster fire in progress.

By the time I saw this conversation on the Missouri sub-Reddit, the comments numbered over 1,400. It's a paper from a manager named Kimberly who is apparently unhappy with workers wanting a break. You really need to see this conversation for yourself.

Are breaks really not mandatory there?
byu/BigClitMcphee inmissouri

What does Missouri law really say about breaks for employees?

This might come as a shock to some, but the Missouri Department of Labor does say that businesses are not required to allow employees to take a break. That goes for youth 16 and under, too. The exact wording says (and I quote) "Missouri law does not require employers to provide employees a break of any kind, including a lunch hour." The Department of Labor goes on to say that breaks can be negotiated between employer and employee.

One interesting quirk in this unique Missouri labor law is the entertainment industry DOES require breaks be allowed for youth. A business cannot work a youth in the entertainment industry for more than 5 1/2 hours without a meal break. A 15-minute break also required after 2 hours of continuous work.

If this angers you, don't blame the messenger. However, it looks like most on the Missouri sub-Reddit are blaming Kimberly the manager who posted the memo. She's not having a good day.