Now that everyone is back to school, it’s time for the annual reminder that you should never give up your lunch or break. Taking time to rest and care for yourself is an important part of staying healthy.

For every four hours you work, you are entitled to a 15 minute paid rest break. Interruptions cost the employer 15 minutes, so if your rest break is interrupted by a supervisor directing you to perform work the timer starts over.

For shifts 6 hours or longer, you are entitled to a 30 minute or 1 hour duty-free lunch. Unless your supervisor presents an actual business need for your lunch to be a specific length, it is up to your discretion to schedule it.

Interruptions to lunch that cause you to perform work cost the employer no less than 15 minutes.

You may not schedule your lunch at the very beginning or end of your shift, causing you to arrive late or leave early. You may leave campus during your unpaid, duty-free lunch period: the employer is not allowed to control your location during lunch. If the employer controls your location for any reason, you are not at lunch and must be paid for your time.

References:

• Your SEIU Contract – Article 5.9, duty free lunch
• SFUSD Rest and Lunch Policy
• California Department of Labor – IWC Order 4
• California Department of Labor – Meal Periods Advice