In my part of the south, the work day is 8-5 with an hour (unpaid) lunch.

Not many jobs will pay you to eat lunch, unless its a business lunch. The 8-hr work day only takes into account the scheduled work hours, not lunch.

My workday includes one 1-hour lunch. I work from 8-5. I don't think there's ever been a place that's given me a paid lunch on a 9-5 schedule. :-(

I only get a half-hour for lunch. Unpaid.

I'm sure we'd all like to get paid to eat lunch, but it isn't going to happen at most work places. The idea is to give you a one hour rest break in the middle of the day so you'll be more productive in the afternoon. If you find a job that pays you to eat lunch, let me know, because I'd like one too.

Most employers do not pay for lunch. However, they are suppose to give the employee at least two 15 minute breaks. For labor laws, most employers require that you take at least 20 minutes for lunch. The 8-hour workday, 5 days a week will give an employee 40 hours per week. This is required for most company in order to give that employee full benefits and be considered a full-time employee. This is especially true for most medical insurances to give that employee benenfits. So to sum up, the work day for most people would be 8 1/2 to 9 hours a day.

I work 9-5 five days a week. And I get an hour paid lunch break. Therefore I only actually work for 35 hours a week, but still get paid for 40 hours.

Most states only require that an employer give a 30 minute unpaid lunch break, and two 10-15 minute paid breaks. Thus, an eight hour workday will generally be a minimum of 8.5 hours with a one hour break, thirty minutes of which is not paid.

Depends on where you work and what you do. In my job I can do 12 hour shifts or 8 hour shifts, I usually get 1 hour or 30 mins, unpaid, but still have to work 40 hours a week even though my contract is for 37. I dont get paid for the extra. Eitherway, whether lunch hour or not, if you work, generally 9 hours a a long workday dont you think?

Every 8 hour shift I've worked was eight and a half hours, with a half hour unpaid lunch and two paid fifteens. Actually, the 10 and a half hour shift I work now is the same.

I think it depends on what part of the country you live in. I grew up in NYC/NJ, and the work day there is 8-4, 9-5, etc. They'd expect people to take lunch, and as far as I know, as long as you put in about 37.5 hours that's considered a full work week. I have since moved from that area, but when I ask my friends/parents who still live there, they all talk about a true 40 hour work week (8-4, 9-5). I have now lived in Minnesota for 6 years, and I think people in the midwest get hosed and they don't even realize it's different in other parts of the country. Almost all companies out here have 8-5 or 7-4, which I think is just ridiculous. You are already starting people off with a 45 hour work week! I don't know many people that actually take an hour every day to each lunch. And if you don't take an hour, it's not like you can leave early at most places either. Personally, I think us midwesterns get screwed out of a normal 40 hourswork week and most people don't even know it b/c they haven't lived out east. The song "Working 9-5" wasn't made up out of thin air. It's actually true in some places!

I have worked true 8 hour days w/ paid lunch. But most companies i have worked for dont. Its something like 8-5 or 9-6. I work 8-5 because theres not much I can do about it. But i tell you that I never forget these 9 hour days, not for a minute. When I did work 8 hour days, i appreciated it and was much more willing to stay a little late when necessary or cut lunch short if needed. It does affect employee morale. Many people seem to have the idea that 8 to 5 minus 1 hour for lunch is 8 hours and thats proper. Well, wherever did the phrase "9 to 5" come from? It's the most common description of business hours by far. Yet, people forget. I have to make special arragements to eat lunch at work. Whether making lunch in advance and wrapping it up packaging it together to bring or going out. I can't just pull open the fridge and whip up a quick sandwich while at work. I have to buy foil/plastic wrap, bags, etc. or pay to eat out. If I wasnt at work I wouldnt have to do this. My lunch has to be taken within certain time frames. Bottom line is that I have to accomodate my employer when it comes to taking lunch; therefore it should be paid. Its 9 hours of the day I am obligated. It's ridiculous.

But don't they know the song goes "Workin' 9-5!What a way to make a living..."?? I for one would be so much more productive if my day was an hour shorter. Now that i have to be here for 9 hours, I'm messing around on sites like this one and avoiding the work that i know i can finish in less than 8 hours!!! I don't understand our American system. There's NO incentive to be more productive!

Why should an employer pay an employee to eat lunch ?? ADD 2 15 min breaks and they actually work 6.5 hours per day and are paid for 8.The employer is getting screwed

Most that I've experienced would have an 8 1/2 hour workday with and hour luch in between.

I work 8hrs a day. No coffee breaks or lunch. Eat while you work. 7-3

I know i go in at 8 have lunch from 1-2 and leave at 5 and get paid for 40hrs a week...i guess im really working 40 when i take my luch break but if i dont take it im not getting paid for it either.

Kitie, You should be replaced. What an attitude." I loaf part of the day because I am not paid for eating." or other wise idle time. This is one of the reasons american workers are being replaced by overseas workers. The auto workers are another good example. The unions are killing the American auto industry. $1500.00 per car cost to GM for non deductible health coverage per union contract. They should tear up all the union auto contracts and start over. Soon these pampered workers will have no Job or Health Ins.

not for me its 8 hrs including lunch and 7 hrs on friday. i do love my job :D