we have an hour lunch everyday that we are not paid for. However our management has said that during peak times inthe month we are not allowed to take our lunch hour. We may got to the kitchen and warm food and eat it or go out for a smoke but then we have to carry on working. we may not leave the premises or sitoutside the building for an hour on those days. Also they insist that if we are not up to date with our work then we mustn't take our lunch times or smoke breaks we must work them in. We have to work a 15 hour day every month end and on that day and the following three days we may not take our lunch times at all except to eat.
The short answer is no, you should be paid for your lunch hour and you can take lunch, also have a look at your hours, do you work Monday to Friday or shift system? Rautenbach & Associates