Any victory for freedom, however small, is worth celebrating:
The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that employers are under no obligation to ensure that workers take legally mandated lunch breaks in a case that affects thousands of businesses and millions of workers.
The unanimous opinion came after workers' attorneys argued that abuses are routine and widespread when companies aren't required to issue direct orders to take the breaks. They claimed employers take advantage of workers who don't want to leave colleagues during busy times.
The case was initially filed nine years ago against Dallas-based Brinker International, the parent company of Chili's and other eateries, by restaurant workers complaining of missed breaks in violation of California labor law.
As is too often the case, this was an instance of people -- or at least their union representatives -- voluntarily giving up their freedom. Hell, they were demanding the right to give it up. Now if the poor dears want to take their breaks, they will actually have to make a conscious decision to do it. Shocking that they face such a hardship.
