I run a small business and only have part-time employees. We are currently hiring and I'd like to update our employee handbook and some of our policies. Our employees work out of our physical workshop and they do some physical labor but its nothing too exhausting (it's a pet bakery so it involves anything from making treats, packing treats, dishes, deep cleaning, etc). You are always doing something though; it's definitely not a retail job where you can sit and twiddle your thumbs while waiting for a customer to walk in.
What do you think is a fair amount of time to offer for lunch and breaks? This is what I'm thinking:
These are PAID breaks. We wouldn’t require them if the employee wants to just keep working but they are scheduled for specific hours so they can’t forego a break to leave early. We have checked local laws.
That timing can be divided up so for example, for an 8 hour shift you can take a 30 minute lunch and then two 15 minute breaks. So far, I like this plan. Should the shifts be grouped as 5-6 hours and 7-8 hours instead of how it's listed above? It seems a little cleaner that way but something about offering an entire hour for a 7 hour shift doesn't feel quite right. That's a lot of time! But please let me know your thoughts. I want to do what is right and fair for both employee and my business. Thanks!
What do you think is a fair amount of time to offer for lunch and breaks? This is what I'm thinking:
- 4 hours or less shifts: 30 minutes
- 5-7 hour shifts: 45 minutes
- 8 hour shifts: 1 hour
These are PAID breaks. We wouldn’t require them if the employee wants to just keep working but they are scheduled for specific hours so they can’t forego a break to leave early. We have checked local laws.
That timing can be divided up so for example, for an 8 hour shift you can take a 30 minute lunch and then two 15 minute breaks. So far, I like this plan. Should the shifts be grouped as 5-6 hours and 7-8 hours instead of how it's listed above? It seems a little cleaner that way but something about offering an entire hour for a 7 hour shift doesn't feel quite right. That's a lot of time! But please let me know your thoughts. I want to do what is right and fair for both employee and my business. Thanks!