<p>I agree with consolation. I’d just bring my lunch.</p>
<p>Do you have any close friends at work? If you were my friend, I would pick up your lunch with mine. In fact, when I do need to run out for lunch, I routinely ask my two best friends if they need lunch.</p>
<p>Agree with above. I’ve seen these types of accommodations made and I’ve also seen everyone else rolling their eyes and shaking their heads. If it’s not a big deal it’s probably to better to just deal.</p>
<p>Have your supervisor provide an electric car, like a golf cart, so you can get ahead of everyone to the cafeteria. :)</p>
<p>Wow, I have never heard of a government limiting lunch to 1/2 hour. I know it’s important to bill accurately, and I know the “standard” government work day assumes a 1/2 hour lunch, but if I had a contractor job. Would just assume you could take A’s long A’s you wanted, as long as you put in your hours and billed correctly. Lo g way of saying I would definitely ask. Maybe just say you’d like to be able to go to the other building, but realize it would take you longer than 1/2 hour, if that acceptable or should you just plan to bring lunch. If the supervisor hedges at all, then you have your answer. Good luck</p>
<p>I have 20 somethings working for me. They complain about having to be in by 9, having to fill out their time sheets, having to wear pants with no holes…If I could give them additional 15 min for lunch and shut them up, I would do it in a heart beat.</p>
<p>Marian - I hope your employer appreciates you.</p>
<p>One time I read something that said “The purpose of managers is to make logical exceptions to general rules.” I always thought there was a lot of wisdom in that, because if there can never be any exceptions or cases that don’t fall within rules, then you don’t need managers, just a big enough rulebook.</p>
<p>Yikes. It makes me wonder what the manager will do - race out, grab his food, race back? It seems to me that closing your cafeteria should be accompanied by a plan to accommodate the workers in your building - like with sandwich delivery, or an expanded lunch time, or a shuttle of some sort to allow people to reach that other building. Good luck.</p>
<p>I will be completely disgusted with your supervisor if she doesn’t have the compassion to allow you a little extra time. With a knee injury, struggling to walk that additional distance, it would be unreasonable for her to not give you that time, especially since you are willing to work early/late. Half an hour isn’t a reasonable amount of time for lunch for anyone, particularly if the cafeteria isn’t in the building.</p>
<p>I would just ask it in a non confrontational way. Tell her that you’re concerned that since you have difficulty walking distances, that you’re afraid you won’t be able to get to the new location in the half an hour allowed. You don’t want to cause trouble for her, but would she consider allowing you a little extra time, perhaps 2-3 days a week, if you showed up early or stayed late? She would have to be a cruel Scrooge to say no to that request. Maybe you could give her the benefit of the doubt and ask her, give her a chance.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the insights, everyone. It has been helpful seeing the situation from all your different perspectives. </p>
<p>Although the majority of you thought it would be OK to ask for the longer lunch break and make up the time, I share the concerns of the minority. Although I think I would be given permission, the fact that I asked might reflect badly on me. I think I’ll start bringing my lunch when the cafeteria in our building closes. It’s the low-risk solution. </p>
<p>As always, this is a wonderful place to ask a question. It’s great to see all the well-thought-out answers.</p>
<p>Seems like the unstated implication is that your job situation is precarious, and the employer and manager are unreasonable about the rules, despite the possible ADA violation.</p>
<p>Look for another job.</p>
<p>We are talking about an older woman in a low-level job. Where would you suggest she look? It’s not that easy, unfortunately.</p>
<p>Do you have any additional break time? I have a 15 minute break plus a 30 minute lunch. Sometimes, if I need it, I roll it into one longer break. Truthfully though, most days it’s a yogurt at my desk.</p>
<p>I agree with ucbalumnus. You must feel very threatened about keeping your job. This thread makes me feel sad, really. How about bringing some crutches to work, that may speed up your walking? If the supervisor asks why you’re using them to go to lunch, you can explain that it’s the only way you can get to lunch within 30 min. If she has half a brain and an ounce of compassion, she’ll offer more time.</p>
<p>Could you add 15 minutes to your workday on one end or the other (if the supervisor says NO to just taking 15 extra lunch minutes)? That way, you would still have your work hours but also the 45 minute lunch.</p>
<p>My guess is that after a while your coworkers will find 30 minutes is NOT enough for the walk, standing in line, eating, and walking back. </p>
<p>Unless the food is outstanding or subsidized, I would be inclined to bring my lunch anyway.</p>
<p>Another thought - if you are granted the extra 15 minutes, do you typically go in a group together with your coworkers and come back with them, making the rest of them take longer too?</p>
<p>thumper, I believe the OP said the food was good, and subsidized…also that she would come in early (or stay late, I don’t remember which) in order to make up the time.</p>
<p>I am a teacher and have a class leave my room at 11:30 and another one at the door at 12:00. I have the time between to go to the staff room down the hall, heat my lunch and eat it. It is TIGHT! If I want to use the cafe in the basement I have to literally run and hope all the kids will let me “cut” them in line. They do 
Going to the bathroom is a luxury.</p>
<p>If Marian’s subsidized cafeteria closed and she cannot make it to the next building and back because of a bad knee, it is only reasonable and yes, it is an accommodation, to allow her extra time to do the same thing that the other employees with more mobility can do. She is willing to make up the time at the end of the day. If the other employees roll their eyes at that, shame on them.</p>
<p>While I agree that it’s only reasonable to make the accommodation, I can also see why and older woman with a mobility problem would feel reluctant to stand out in any way that might make her seem less fit for the job. It’s unfortunate, but discrimination is still alive and well in both government and the private sector. Our society prizes youth and health. If one is in any way less fit than his or her peers, there is often an unconscious bias against them, imho.<br>
With the change in the cafeteria location, it’s possible that many others may find it more difficult and almost prohibitive to use the new facility. If Marian waits it out and brings her lunch for now, there may be a change in policy or service that eases the situation for everyone down the road.</p>
<p>Yup. I agree with the shame on them part but it’s not helpful to her in her situation. And, it’s reality. She seems to know that it’s best not to rock the boat and I also agree that 30 minutes to get to another building, eat, and get back is going to be tough for everyone. Perhaps, this problem will work itself out in time.</p>