How Long of a Break Can You Have During an 8 Hour Shift in Ontario?
In Ontario, most workplaces are regulated by the Ontario Employment Standards Act (2000), which sets break times in the workplace, among many other things. The only break guaranteed to employees under the Employment Standards Act (ESA) is an unpaid 30-minute meal period within the first 5 hours of work. This meal period must be uninterrupted. Workers may choose to split this meal period into 2 separate 15-minute breaks, and this agreement may be made orally, electronically or in writing. Further, meal periods are not counted towards total hours worked. This means that an 8-hour shift may span over an eight-and-one-half hour period; however, this would only count as 8 total hours worked.
Many employees may have the benefit of additional coffee breaks, a paid lunch period, or so forth. If your employment contract or conventional standards in your workplace grant you greater benefits than the ESA with regards to breaks, then this greater benefit is binding. Overall, employers cannot contract out of the ESA provisions unless contracting out provides a greater benefit.
There are also special exemptions for certain employees that would alter the guarantee of a meal period, or preclude entitlement to a meal period at all. Some examples of job classifications that are not guaranteed meal periods include Architects, Chiropodists, Dentists, Engineers, Information Technology Professionals, Lawyers, Massage Therapists, Naturopaths, Public Accountants, Pharmacists, Residential Care Workers, Teachers, and more.
Are 15-Minute Breaks Required by Law in Canada?
No, 15-minute breaks are not required by law under the Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA). The ESA only guarantees one unpaid 30-minute meal break after five consecutive hours of work. However, if both the employee and employer agree electronically or in writing, this break can be split into two shorter 15-minute unpaid breaks. Some employers choose to provide employees with additional paid breaks, such as coffee breaks, but these are considered workplace benefits rather than legal requirements.
How Long of a Break Can You Have on an 8-Hour Shift?
For an 8-hour shift in Ontario, most employees are entitled to one unpaid 30-minute meal break after working five consecutive hours. This means that an employer cannot force an employee to work an entire shift without a break. If both parties have a verbal, electronic or written agreement, this break may be split into two shorter breaks. Additional breaks, such as rest periods or paid coffee breaks, depend on employment contracts, workplace policies, or collective agreements. Employees should also be aware that break time is separate from overtime pay calculations—only actual hours worked count toward overtime pay eligibility.
How Many Breaks Do You Get for Over 8 Hours?
If an employee’s shift exceeds 8 hours, their break entitlements remain the same under the break laws in the Ontario Employment Standards Act. Employees are still guaranteed one unpaid 30-minute meal break after every five consecutive hours of work. If a shift extends beyond 10 hours, the employee may be entitled to two eating periods, depending on their industry and workplace policies. Employers must also ensure that workers receive daily rest periods between shifts and do not exceed the weekly limit on work hours without an agreement in place.
What’s the Amount of Time a Break Should Be on an 8-Hour Shift?
During an 8-hour shift, most employees are entitled to at least one 30-minute unpaid meal break, as required by break laws under the ESA. If the employee and employer agree electronically or in writing, this can be split into two 15-minute unpaid breaks. While some employers provide additional paid breaks, these are considered workplace benefits rather than a legal requirement. Employees should check their employment contract or collective agreement to confirm whether they are entitled to better break entitlements than the minimum standard under Ontario law.
Are You Getting the Breaks You’re Entitled To? Know Your Rights
If you’re uncertain about your break entitlements, overtime rules, or workplace rights, speaking with an employment lawyer can help you understand your rights, protect your wages, and hold your employer accountable. You deserve to be treated fairly and in accordance with Ontario’s labour laws. If your employer is not following the law, you may be entitled to compensation or legal recourse.