Meal and Rest Periods for Non-Sworn Employees. One-half (½) hour of the non-sworn employee’s scheduled shift will be used for an unpaid meal period at or near the midpoint of the shift, unless directed by the supervisor that the needs of the Department require that the employee work through the scheduled lunch break. Non-Sworn Employees may take two (2) short break periods, not to exceed fifteen minutes each, one during the first half of the shift, and one during the second half of the shift. Such break period shall be considered work time and will be compensated as such; provided, however, that when needs of the Department so require, such employees may be required to forego such breaks when ordered to do so by their supervisor. Such employees may forego their break period(s) on any particular day and use such time to extend their meal period by fifteen minutes or one-half (½) hour, provided that prior approval of the supervisor is obtained; and further provided, that regardless of whether a practice comes into existence of extending the lunch period, there shall be no continued right to so extend the lunch period, and the Department may at any time require that the employees take only the one- half (½) hour period, or forego that period if deemed necessary in the sole discretion of the Department.
