Managers:
We know things get fast and sometimes furious during the work day. Priorities shift and the workload can seem to expand without warning or explanation. As a way of managing all that can happen during the day, we remind all employees of the importance of scheduling a mid-day meal break to recharge, refresh and renew your drive to accomplish the tasks at hand.
In accordance with California Law for all employers, Cambridge is committed to all employees following these guidelines for a meal break:
- A meal break MUST be taken no later than the start of the 5th hour of work. The only exception to this rule is if the overall work shift is going to be six hours or less. For shifts that last longer than six hours, the start of the 5th hour is a key deadline for starting your meal break! So don’t delay; start your break promptly.
- The meal break MUST be a minimum of at least 30 minutes. Subject to coordination with co-workers at the site, as well as feedback from either your Portfolio Supervisor or Cambridge’s Human Resource Department, the meal break can be extended to an hour or even longer if that assists you in felling refreshed and ready to proceed. So, give some thought to maybe an even longer break from time to time to perhaps schedule in a personal appointment, or tackle a ‘life activity’ during the middle of your day. Whatever the case, make sure your meal break is no less than 30 minutes.
There are all sorts of ways to assure your compliance with the meal break requirement; an alarm on your phone, an e-mail notification, a note on your desk, etc. However you create that important reminder, make it a priority to take a meal break for yourself. And take this break away from your normal work space so that you eliminate the possibility of an interrupted meal break as that doesn’t achieve our shared goal of not only a restful break, but an uninterrupted one too! Take a walk. Take a ride. Head off to a place where you can comfortably enjoy some ‘me-time’.
Following through on the goal of a meal break of 30 minutes or more during each work shift six hours in length or longer will help you see that your day goes faster, your work flows smoother, and your productivity increases when you are recharged and ready to conquer all that the second half of your work shift might bring!
Pass along this policy to all employees at your site. And, join us in committing to make this workplace requirement a part of our workplace culture.
Questions? Contact Angela Cooper: acooper@cambridgeres/com
Direct: 503.445.2793 | Fax: 503.450.0241 | Cell: 805.540.8310