Department of Labour - Entitlements

INFANT FEEDING, REST AND MEAL BREAKS ENTITLEMENTS

From 1 April 2009, the Employment Relations Act 2000 will entitle employees to minimum rest and meal breaks. Employers will also be required to provide appropriate facilities and breaks for employees who wish to breastfeed or express at work where reasonable and practicable in the circumstances.

Rest and meal breaks

Employees will be entitled to:

• one paid 10-minute rest break if their work period is between two and four hours;
• one paid 10-minute rest break and one unpaid 30-minute meal break if their work period is between four and six hours;
• two paid 10-minute rest breaks and one unpaid 30-minute meal break if their work period is between six and eight hours.

If more than an eight hour period is worked, these requirements automatically extend to cover the additional hours on the same basis.

The timing of rest and meal breaks is flexible and can follow any arrangement agreed between employer and employee.

If an agreement can’t be reached, the rest and meal breaks should be spread evenly throughout the work period where reasonable and practicable.

For more information, visit:

http://www.ers.govt.nz/relationships/breaks.html

Breastfeeding at work

Employers will be required to provide appropriate facilities and breaks for employees who wish to breastfeed or express, as far as is reasonable and practicable in the circumstances — taking into account both their operating environment and available resources.

The breaks are unpaid unless the employee and employer agree otherwise. The breastfeeding breaks are to be provided in addition to the standard paid rest breaks and unpaid meal breaks.

For more information, visit:

http://www.ers.govt.nz/parentalleave/infantfeeding.html

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