Rest Periods

The University provides all Non-Exempt Employees with the opportunity to take a 15-minute paid rest period for every four hours worked, or major fraction thereof, which should be taken so far as practicable in the middle of each such work period. Rest periods are provided based on the total hours worked in a workday as follows:

Less than 3.5 hours         =    No rest period
3.5 hours+ to 6 hours     =    One 15-minute rest period
6 hours+ to 10 hours      =    Two 15-minute rest periods
10 hours+ to 14 hours    =    Three 15-minute rest periods

Additional rest periods, if needed, will be provided for each four hours of work, or major fraction thereof. Non-Exempt Employees will be relieved of all duty during rest periods so that this personal time may be enjoyed. The University will provide nursing mothers with periods during the workday to express milk. Lactation periods taken beyond a Non-Exempt Employee’s regular meal and rest periods will be unpaid.

Because rest periods are counted as hours worked, Non-Exempt Employees should not clock out or record rest periods on their time cards. Managers or Supervisors are not authorized or allowed to instruct any Employee to skip a rest period. Skipping rest periods cannot be used to shorten the workday. Employees are required to immediately report a Manager’s or Supervisor’s instruction to skip or work during a rest period, or report when the Employee fails to take the required rest period, to Human Resources.

Non-Exempt Employees may be required to confirm that they have been provided an opportunity to take all of their rest periods during any pay period.