Choosing standard or custom unpaid breaks
This article guides you in choosing between standard and custom unpaid breaks when creating rosters. Understanding these options helps you set break times that best meet your team's needs and your business requirements. While standard unpaid breaks offer a default structure, custom unpaid breaks provide flexibility for unique shifts. Importantly, you don't have to choose one over the other—custom breaks override standard settings whenever needed. This flexibility allows you to set default break times and customise them per shift as required. Here, we'll discuss how each option works, their differences, and use cases to help you decide the best approach for your rostering needs.
1. Standard unpaid breaks
Standard unpaid breaks provide a default break structure that automatically applies to shifts meeting minimum length requirements. With this approach, you can set varying break times for different shift lengths to meet industry or legal standards. This section will walk you through how standard breaks work, including automatic application and benefits.
1.1 Setting standard unpaid breaks
To set up standard unpaid breaks, you must have admin permissions.
Access the unpaid breaks settings to define break durations for different shift lengths.
Adjust break times based on your country's break laws or industry needs (e.g., 30 minutes for shifts over 5 hours and 60 minutes for shifts over 10 hours).
Once set, these breaks apply automatically to all relevant shifts.
1.2 How standard breaks work
The system assigns break times to each shift that meets the minimum shift length.
Break duration adjusts according to the length of the shift based on the settings you've configured.
Staff will only see the break duration in their roster, not specific start times.
2. Custom unpaid breaks
Custom unpaid breaks allow rostering staff to set unique break details on a shift-by-shift basis, including the break type, start time, and duration. This feature offers more control over specific shift requirements, making it ideal for settings where exact break times need to be managed. This section explains how to use custom unpaid breaks and how they benefit both you and your staff.
2.1 Setting custom unpaid breaks
Anyone with permission to create rosters can set custom unpaid breaks.
Toggle on the custom break option when creating or editing a shift.
Enter the break type, start time, and duration to customise the break.
2.2 How custom breaks differ from standard breaks
Unlike standard breaks, custom breaks allow you to specify start times.
Custom breaks display the break type, start time, and duration to staff.
These breaks are ideal for shifts with specific coverage requirements or for employees subject to different break regulations.
3. Choosing between standard and custom breaks
Deciding between standard and custom unpaid breaks depends on your work environment and coverage needs. This section outlines common scenarios for using standard and custom breaks to help you make the best choice for your team.
3.1 Use cases for standard breaks
Standard breaks suit environments where all staff can take breaks simultaneously.
This option works well if no specific break timing is required by legislation.
Standard breaks are time-efficient, allowing you to set and forget.
3.2 Use cases for custom breaks
Custom breaks are ideal for workplaces that need staggered breaks, such as hospitals or call centres.
This option is helpful when different staff fall under varying break regulations.
You can set standard breaks as a baseline and customise specific shifts as needed.