Rest periods and breaks at work (2024)

FAQs

Rest periods and breaks at work? ›

Rest Periods

Taking a break from work increases focus when employees return to work, thus improving their productivity. Additionally, taking breaks relieves some stress, which helps employees' mental health and well-being.

(In other words, employees are permitted one rest break for every four hours worked, or major fraction thereof, so long as they work at least 3.5 hours.)

As a general rule of thumb, take breaks at least every 45-60 minutes–ideally more often. Keep in mind, our ability to focus fluctuates depending on many factors. This means that you may need more frequent breaks on days you're tired or dealing with a lot of stress.

Every 30 minutes is often suggested, especially for people who spend most of their day sitting or are otherwise inactive for a significant portion of the day. Two larger breaksone in the middle of the first half of the day, and one in the middle of the second half of the day, are also recommended.

Employee's may voluntarily elect to skip their break, but if the company forces the worker to skip the break, that employee is owed one additional hour of premium pay as a penalty. Branigan made the below whiteboard video to explain CA's rest break law to non-lawyers.

Studies have found that breaks can reduce or prevent stress, help to maintain performance throughout the day and reduce the need for a long recovery at the end of the day [1]; [2].

If you're wondering how often to take a break at work, know that even 1-minute breaks can make a difference. Some standard intervals are a 5-minute break every 25 minutes or a 15-minute break every 90 minutes. At the top of every hour, try taking a moment for mindfulness. Walk around for a bit—it's good for you.

Most California workers must receive the following breaks: An uninterrupted 30-minute unpaid meal break when working more than five hours in a day. An additional 30-minute unpaid meal break when working more than 12 hours in a day.

What Does the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) NOT Require? The FLSA does not require meal or break periods. Makes the distinction between rest periods of 5 to 20 minutes and compensable waiting time or on-call time, all of which are paid work time. Meal periods are not compensable work time.

What happens if you don't take a break? ›

A Routine of Daily Breaks Combats Workplace Burnout

Day after day, hour after hour of doing something stressful or tedious leads to burnout. Just as your arm muscles get tired after so many repetitions with free weights, your brain breaks down if you don't know how to take a break.

Under California law, non-exempt employees are entitled to one unpaid 30-minute meal break, and two paid 10-minute rest breaks, during a typical 8-hour shift.

Use The Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management method that can help structure your work breaks. It involves working for a set amount of time, typically 25 minutes, then taking a short break of 5 minutes.

The 52/17 Rule is a time management method that recommends 52 minutes of focused working followed by 17 minutes of complete resting and recharging. This principle was first presented in 2014 in an article for The Muse and has since then been covered by other media outlets.

Federal Law states that all breaks lasting under 20 minutes are considered part of the workday and must be paid. Meal breaks lasting 30 minutes or longer can be unpaid, so long as employees don't work during that time. Employees must receive a paid 10-minute break for every 4 hours they work.

Take a break from sitting every 30 minutes. Stand while talking on the phone or watching television. If you work at a desk, try a standing desk — or improvise with a high table or counter.

Breaks help you to decompress and to manage stress better. If you're constantly building up stress without ever finding the time and outlet to relax, it can turn into chronic stress and eventually burnout. Taking frequent breaks can actively help you to reduce stress and to prevent it from accumulating.

Taking breaks at work can: Give you time to reevaluate goals. Increase productivity and help the mind refocus. Lessen injuries, body aches, and pains.

Their purpose is to allow the employee to have a meal that is regularly scheduled during the work day. For a typical daytime job, this is lunch, but this may vary for those with other work hours. Lunch breaks allow an employee's energy to replenish.

Research shows that taking purposeful breaks (anywhere from 5–60 minutes) from studying to refresh your brain and body increases your energy, productivity, and ability to focus.