Break Policy
When a student is scheduled to work for four hours or more, they are entitled to a break. The chart below details the types of breaks a student may take.
| Scheduled to Work (hours) |
Paid Breaks (15-min) |
Unpaid Lunch (30-min) |
| less than 4 | – | – |
| 4-6 | (1) | – |
| 6.5-8* (2 options) |
(1) (2) |
(1) – |
| 8.5+ | (2) | (1) |
Paid breaks are 15 minutes long and are mandatory for any student employee working over 4 hours in one shift.
Breaks should be scheduled with the student’s supervisor and are meant to provide a break for the student to relax when working extended periods of time, therefore, they cannot be scheduled back-to-back.
Students working long periods of time on the computer (data entry or word processing, etc.) should take a break after every 2 hours.
*Students working 6.5–8 hours in one shift have the option to take an unpaid lunch (30 minutes). If the student and the supervisor agree, the student may take (2) paid 15-minute breaks if they opt to not take the 30-minute lunch break. If the student chooses the latter option, as an employer you must have the employee sign a break waiver form and keep it in the student’s employee file.
Students working over 8 hours must take the unpaid lunch break.
Breaks cannot be combined or “saved” to come in late or leave early.
Special circumstances, should they arise, should be discussed between the student and their supervisor.
CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE BREAK WAIVER.