Lunch Break Thief

By Tony Hicks

Lunch Break Thief is the story of Maya, a frontline retail worker who, after years of dedication at a big-box store, is accused of "time theft" simply for taking her full, unpaid lunch break. What begins as a single act of defiance unravels a much deeper truth: that the system she loyally served was never built to value her time, her health, or her dignity. Maya's journey opens her eyes to the unspoken rules of low-wage labor-where policies are just performance and exploitation is disguised as "teamwork."

As Maya begins documenting the store's violations-break interruptions, retaliatory scheduling, unpaid labor-she quietly builds a network of coworkers who are also tired of shrinking to fit a system that punishes them for standing still. Together, they shift from silence to solidarity, using policy handbooks, testimonies, and truth to push back. Their resistance is quiet at first: refusing to work off the clock, taking breaks without guilt, and calling out the double standards written into their daily routines. When their efforts reach the press and the labor board, their local fight sparks a broader conversation about dignity in modern workplaces.

The book is not just about labor abuse-it's about reclaiming power. Through Maya's transformation from silent worker to outspoken advocate, Lunch Break Thief shows how real change doesn't always come from outside pressure or dramatic rebellion-it starts in breakrooms, behind registers, and with a cold sandwich finally eaten in peace. It's a story of boundaries turned into battle lines, and how even the smallest act of self-respect can ignite a movement.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0G2S7X138
• ISBN13: 9798274985390
• Release Date: November 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 122 Pages
• Weight: 0.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"