Common use of Rest Periods and Lunch Breaks Clause in Contracts

Rest Periods and Lunch Breaks. Within various work schedules outlined as standard or alternate in this section, employees may take one rest period (break) of 15 minutes during each four to five hour block of time the employee works, at a time approved by the manager. Breaks may be combined with lunch for a longer lunch period, with the approval of the manager, but may not be combined with the beginning or ending of the shift to start late or leave early, even with the approval of the manager. Break time is included within the 40 hour work week and the employee is compensated for break time. Therefore, breaks not taken during the appropriate period cannot be accumulated or taken on other days. As the employee is already compensated for break time, the absence of a break does not constitute time owed to the employee for the purposes of the calculation of overtime or compensating time off. Each employee must take a lunch period of not less than 30 minutes each day following not more than five hours of work time. The lunch period is not included in the 40-hour work week, for standard day shift employees. The length and timing of the lunch break is determined by the manager in conjunction with the work schedule approved. Employees may not work through lunch and leave early, nor make up for tardy arrival by missing the required lunch period. The lunch period is included in the 40-hour work week for night shift employees and day shift employees working on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only, as they are expected to remain in the building and be available for coverage during their entire assigned shift.