Legally in Connecticut if you work more than 7.5 hours your are required by law to take a 30 minute meal break. Sometimes this is possible and sometimes it's not possible.

I work in a hospital as a Secretary and I work 8 - 4:30 so I am required to take a 30 minutes meal break and hospital policy also allows for 2 15 minute breaks....one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

If we don't have the chance to take our 30 minutes of meal time than we are required to sign a form stating why we did not take a meal break. The 2 15 minute breaks are optional so if you take one that's good and if you don't then your out of luck.