Common use of Meal Breaks and Rest Breaks Clause in Contracts

Meal Breaks and Rest Breaks. (a) An employee, other than a continuous shiftworker, is entitled to an unpaid meal break of not less than 30 minutes. (b) A continuous shiftworker will be entitled to a paid meal break of 20 minutes per shift. (c) All employees will be allowed a rest break of 10 minutes, between the time of commencing work and the usual meal break. This rest break will be counted as part of time worked. (d) The timing of meal breaks and rest breaks on any particular job may be discussed between the Employer and the majority of employees at a particular site and varied by agreement. Occupational health and safety considerations will always prevail. (e) An employee shall not be compelled to work for more than six hours without a break for a meal. Where possible the normal meal break should be as near as practicable to the middle of the period of duty or shift in lieu thereof.