Q: Store workers in our spare parts warehouse work under the Vehicle Manufacturing Repairs Services and Retail Award. They currently have a 15-minute paid morning tea break and a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. If a worker misses their morning tea break, are they entitled to add the 15 minutes to their lunch break?

A: The tea break in the Vehicle Manufacturing Repairs Services and Retail Award isn’t an entitlement – it states that the employer may provide either a morning or an afternoon tea break.

However, as you are in the practice of giving an employee a 15-minute break, we would consider that you could agree for this to be added to their lunch break or offer the ability to take an afternoon break instead.

Please note: The answer is correct at the time of publishing. Be aware that laws may change over time. Refer to Modern awards for current advice.