Rest and meal breaks
Updated
Part 6D of the Employment Relations Act 2000 sets minimum rest and meal breaks. Rest breaks are paid; meal breaks are unpaid unless the employment agreement says otherwise. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea on site map directly to these rules.
Minimum breaks by hours worked
- 2 to 4 hours: one 10-minute paid rest break
- 4 to 6 hours: one 10-minute paid rest break and one 30-minute meal break
- 6 to 8 hours: two 10-minute paid rest breaks and one 30-minute meal break
- Over 8 hours: the pattern restarts for the additional hours
Timing
Break times are agreed between employer and employee; failing agreement they must be spread reasonably through the work period. An employer may place reasonable restrictions for safety or operational reasons but cannot remove the entitlement.
Counting hours
Paid rest breaks count as time worked; meal breaks do not unless agreed as paid. A 7:00 to 16:00 day with a 30-minute lunch is therefore 8.5 paid hours.
In Hatplan
- Each site has start, tea, lunch and finish times; tea breaks are paid and not deducted, lunch is deducted as configured
- Lunch is deducted only when presence spans the lunch window, and once per day across site transfers
- Workers see the day's schedule and the deductions as soon as they clock out
General information, not legal advice. Refer to Employment New Zealand and the legislation for the requirements that apply.