Praxair Trucking Drivers Seek Proper Meal Breaks, Compensation

Many drivers for Praxair trucking believe that they have not been given their proper meal breaks in California because of Praxair’s policy requiring drivers to stay with their vehicles.

Praxair trucking is a company that delivers industrial gasses, chemicals and other products to businesses nationwide. These materials are often hazardous. Because of this, drivers who work for Praxair trucking are required to stay with their vehicles while they are working.

Many believe that this policy violates labor laws by not allowing employees to take proper time for rest breaks and meal breaks. Because drivers for Praxair trucking are not truly off duty during their breaks, critics claim that Praxair trucking treats their workers unfairly.

In California, the labor laws are very specific. California labor laws protect workers to a greater degree than even federal law. Hourly workers, or non-exempt workers, must be provided a certain amount of meal and rest breaks for a certain amount of time by their employers.

For example, under California law, meal breaks must amount to 30 minutes in length if the worker works more than five hours. Also, this meal break must begin before the end of the fifth hour worked in the shift.

For every four hours worked, a worker must be given a ten minute rest break and if an employee works more than 6 hours, a second rest break must be given. However, if a worker is on a shift for more than 10 hours, a second 30 minute break must be given.

Additionally, workers must not feel as if they must work on their breaks and should be given access to their breaks off-premises. They must also not be forced to work during their breaks.

If a company does not offer a meal break, an additional hour of pay must be paid to the employee. If the worker does not completely relieve the worker of all duties, they worker should be paid for an additional hour of work.

Sometimes those who are on a “break” are also still responsible for the place of business. Under California labor law, this person has not been truly relieved of all duty and should be compensated.

The way that Praxair trucking and other similar companies allegedly get around these rules is that they often classify their workers as independent contractors. If they classify their workers as independent contractors, they do not need to give the same amount and duration of rest and meal breaks in California as they would if the employees were classified correctly.

Drivers who drive for Praxair trucking are required to stay with their vehicles during breaks. Because of this, many believe that Praxair trucking is violating labor law by not allowing workers to take proper breaks during their shifts. If they remain with their truck, they are no truly relieved of all work related duties and should be compensated fairly for this.

If you or someone you love has worked for Praxair trucking and has not received proper compensation for rest and meal breaks in California, you may benefit from speaking with an experienced attorney.

Join a Free Praxair Driver Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you work or have worked as a truck driver for Praxair and you were denied meal and/or rest breaks during your shifts, you may qualify to file a Praxair wage and hour lawsuit or class action lawsuit.

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