Page 25 - The Piper Associate Handbook - August 2015

The Piper
Associate Handbook
MEAL PERIODS AND WORK BREAKS
In order to comply with federal and state laws and regulations, The Piper provides eligible non-exempt associates with a paid 15-minute break period for each consecutive four (4) hours of working time, as well as an unpaid meal period when the Associate is scheduled to work a shift in excess of five (5) hours.
Paid Break Periods
Non-exempt associates who work four (4) consecutive hours of work time are entitled to a 15-minute paid break period. Break periods are considered hours worked. Two paid 15-minute break periods will be provided whenever an associate is required to work eight (8) or more hours per day. Break periods cannot be accumulated and must be used daily during the regularly scheduled shift. Break periods may not be taken at the beginning or end of a normal shift or to make up time for tardiness or absences. The timing of break periods must be pre-approved by the team leader. Associates must remain on the premises during break periods except with advance permission of the team leader.
Unpaid Meal Periods
Each associate scheduled to work more than a five hour shift is entitled to a thirty (30) minute unpaid meal period during that shift, to be scheduled approximately half way through the shift whenever possible based on resident care and operational needs. If an associate is scheduled to work for fourteen (14) or more scheduled hours, the associate is entitled to two thirty (30) minute unpaid meal periods. Time spent during a meal period is not considered hours worked.
Interrupting Meal Time
A meal period is an uninterrupted time and an associate should be completely relieved of duty during the meal break. Management, at its sole discretion, may interrupt the meal period if it is absolutely necessary that the associate return to work. In those situations, the following guidelines apply:
o If an Associate is called to return to work during the first 20 minutes of a meal period, the entire meal period then becomes hours worked and will be paid, and the Associate may be assigned or entitled to another thirty (30) minute meal period.
o If an Associate is called to return to work during the last 10 minutes of a meal period, then the meal period remains unpaid time and the Associate is entitled to finish the remainder of the meal period as soon as possible.
Paid Meal Periods
If “around the clock” nursing coverage prohibits an associate from being completely relieved of duty during the meal period, the associate will be scheduled for paid meal breaks. This situation is not routine and must be addressed with the Community Leader in advance.
Recording Meal Periods
All associates who are required to follow the location’s time clock policies are required to punch out/in or sign out/in during meal breaks.
Consecutive meal and break periods
Unless otherwise prohibited by state law and only with the express prior written permission from the team leader or Community Leader, an associate may take their 15 minute break period and their 30 minute meal period in immediate succession, such that the associate is relieved of duty for a 45 minute period.
August 14, 2015 Page 25