Automatic Breaks
Automatic Breaks allows you to configure break schedule rules based on shift duration. This feature helps you define when workers should take breaks and how long those breaks should be, ensuring compliance with labor regulations and company policies.
Automatic break rules are configured per location group.
Create an Automatic Break Rule
Click Shift in the left side panel, then Settings.
In the left sidebar, click Automatic Breaks.
Here, use the location dropdown in the top right corner to select the location you want to view or configure.
Click Add break rule in the top right.
In the Automatic Break Creation modal, configure the break rule:
Automatic Break Name: Enter a descriptive name for this rule (e.g., "7 Hour Break").
Active: Toggle on to activate the rule immediately, or leave off to save as inactive and activate later.
Click Edit in the "If all of the conditions below are met" section to define when this break rule applies.
In the Add condition panel, select a condition type:
Worker Attribute: Conditions based on the worker's profile data. Example: When worker's attribute 'Location' is 'Madison'
Shift event: Conditions based on shift details. Example: When shift duration is more than 4 hours
Compare attributes: Conditions that compare two attributes against each other. Example: When worker completed training equals shift location required training
Configure the condition values. In the example shown, "If Shift Duration is greater than 7 hours" is configured.
In the "Create the following breaks" section, configure the break(s) to be scheduled:
Break 1 fields:
Duration: Enter hours (h) and minutes (m) for the break length (e.g., 0 h, 15 m)
and start: Enter when the break should start relative to shift start time (e.g., 4 h, 30 m "after shift start time")
Paid: Toggle on if this is a paid break, or leave off for unpaid breaks
To add additional breaks within the same rule, click Add break and configure the additional break details.
Click Create to save the rule.
The total duration of all configured breaks will be displayed in the modal (For example two 15 minute breaks would be a total of 30 min).
Edit or Deactivate a Break Rule
Navigate to Shift > Settings and click Automatic Breaks in the left sidebar.
Select the applicable location group from the dropdown in the top right.
For the rule you'd like to adjust, either click the edit icon (pencil icon) to make changes or delete icon (trash can icon) to delete the rule.
To deactivate a rule without deleting it, toggle the Active toggle to off and save.
Automatic Break Deductions
The Automatic Break Deductions feature lets you create rules that automatically add break time to timesheets that meet specified conditions. This removes the need to manually log breaks on workers' behalf for shifts that consistently require a break of a standard duration.
Important: How This Differs from Automatic Breaks
Automatic Breaks = Scheduled shift breaks only (no impact on timesheets)
Automatic Break Deductions = Timesheet/payroll deductions based on actual worked hours
Create an Automatic Break Deduction Rule
Click Shift in the left side panel, then Settings.
In the left sidebar, click Automatic Break Deductions.
Here, use the location dropdown in the top right corner to select the location you want to view or configure.
Click Add break deduction rule in the top right.
In the Automatic Break Deduction modal, configure the rule:
Automatic Break Name: Enter a descriptive name for this rule (e.g., "7+ hour shift lunch break"). Specific names help distinguish similar rules.
Active: Toggle on to activate the rule immediately, or leave off to save as inactive and activate later.
If all of the conditions below are met: Click Edit in the "If all of the conditions below are met" section to add conditions that determine when this break deduction applies.
In the Add condition panel, select a condition type:
Worker Attribute: Conditions based on the worker's profile data, such as their site or location.
Shift Event: Conditions based on shift details, such as shift location, scheduled start or end time, or number of scheduled breaks.
Timesheet Attribute: Conditions based on the timesheet itself, such as actual duration. Example: Actual Duration is greater than or equal to 7 hours.
Compare Attributes: Conditions that compare two attributes against each other, such as whether the worker's completed training matches the training required for the shift location.
Configure the condition and click Apply. You can add multiple conditions — all must be met for the deduction to apply.
In the "Create the following break deduction" section, enter the Duration of the break to be deducted:
Enter hours (h) and minutes (m)
Example: 0 h 30 m for a 30-minute break
Click Create to save the rule. A success confirmation will appear once the rule is created.
Automatic break deduction rules are configured per location or location group. Location hierarchy applies — rules set at a location group level apply to all child locations in that group unless overridden at the child level.
How Automatic Breaks Appear on Timesheets
When a timesheet meets the conditions of an active automatic break deduction rule, the break is added automatically. The break appears on the timesheet with an indicator showing it was applied automatically and which rule triggered it.
Managers can manually delete an automatically applied break from the timesheet if needed.
Best Practices for Automatic Break Management
Use these best practices to build effective break rules and deduction rules that ensure compliance and accurate payroll.
Start Simple, Then Add Complexity
When creating your first automatic break or break deduction rules, start with a single, straightforward condition before adding multiple conditions:
Single condition rule: "If shift duration is greater than 7 hours, create/deduct a 30-minute break"
Multi-condition rule: "If shift duration is greater than 7 hours AND shift location is Manufacturing Floor, create/deduct a 30-minute break"
Use AND vs. OR Logic Strategically
Both Automatic Breaks and Automatic Break Deductions support AND/OR logic for multiple conditions:
AND logic: All conditions must be met for the rule to apply. Use when you want to narrow down which shifts or timesheets receive the break.
Example: "Shift duration is 7+ hours AND worker is full-time" → Only full-time workers on long shifts get the break
OR logic: Any one condition being met will trigger the rule. Use when you want to apply the break in multiple scenarios.
Example: "Shift location is Warehouse OR shift location is Distribution Center" → Workers at either location get the break
Prevent Double Breaks (Break Deductions)
When using Automatic Break Deductions, if workers manually log their breaks, add an Actual Break Duration condition to prevent automatic deductions from being applied to timesheets that already have breaks.
This ensures the automatic break deduction is only applied when no break has been logged.
Organize Complex Rules
For rules with multiple conditions:
Group related conditions: Use the Duplicate option (accessible via the 3-dot menu next to each condition) to quickly create similar conditions and modify the details
Delete unused conditions: Use the Delete option to remove conditions you no longer need
Test with one location first: Create and test rules on a single location before applying to location groups