An employer must provide an employee who works a shift that is more than 5 hours but less than 10 hours with a rest period of at least 30 minutes, whether paid or unpaid:

• An employee who works 10 or more hours must receive at least 2 periods of 30 minutes, whether paid or unpaid

• A rest period may be taken at an agreed-upon time by the employee and employer

• If an employee and employer agree, the period may be broken into 2 breaks of 15 minutes instead of 30 minutes.

• This doesn't apply if:

  • an accident occurs, urgent work is necessary or other unforeseeable or unpreventable circumstances occur

  • different rest provisions are agreed to under a collective, or

  • it is not reasonable for the employee to take a rest period

Day of Rest

• Every employer must allow each employee at least:

  • 1 day of rest each workweek

  • 2 consecutive days of rest in each period of 2 consecutive work weeks

  • 3 consecutive days of rest in each period of 3 consecutive work weeks, or

  • 4 consecutive days of rest in each period of 4 consecutive work weeks

• every employer must allow each employee at least 4 consecutive days of rest after each 24 consecutive workdays

• does not apply under a collective agreement

AB ESC Pt. 2 s. 18-19