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Breaks
NEW CHAPTER – March 2025
This chapter explains your obligations to provide your employees with breaks.
Do you have an obligation to provide your employees with breaks?
You may be obliged to give your employees time when they are not required to perform their ordinary work duties.
These breaks typically fall into three categories:
- Meal break: A meal break is a period of between 30 and 60 minutes during which the employee is given uninterrupted rest so they can eat a meal. These are usually required after 5 hours of work. Meal breaks are ordinarily unpaid.
- Rest break: A rest break (or tea break) is when an employee is allowed to rest for a short period of time during work hours, usually 10–15 minutes. Rest breaks are usually paid.
- Crib break: A crib break is a paid meal break, and is often something to which shift workers or employees in physically demanding industries (e.g. construction) are entitled.