[Cringing Negativism Network]

I think this is because of laws in California (and elsewhere I presume)

The employer wants to avoid paying overtime.

The law is, there is overtime above 8 each day. It seems to me therefore, the employer is moving the “work day” as a result to 7.5 / day.

This leaves a half hour buffer.

Seems to me, it is that simple.

[hoosierham]

It is that simple.Limit the overtime.
A 37.5 hour work week was standard at my 1990s job,and mandatory 45 minutes unpaid lunch.

[Calvin Locke]

The employer wants to avoid paying overtime.

Yep, and I learned that back in the 1970s, although I don't think it applied to each day, but the buffer was for the week.