Employees must be given a rest or eating break of at least half an hour for every five consecutive hours worked.

• If an employee works for more than 10 consecutive hours, they must be given additional rest or eating breaks totalling at least half an hour for every five hours worked.

There are exceptions where breaks are not required, including in the case of:

• accidents,

• urgent work,

• unforeseeable or

• unpreventable circumstances, or

• if it is unreasonable for an employee to take a meal break.

• These exceptions do not apply to employees whose terms of employment are determined by a collective agreement, or as prescribed by the regulations.

If necessary for medical reasons, an employee is entitled to a rest or eating break at a different time.

If an employee has worked for five hours without a break, they are entitled to eat while working.

NS LSC s.66B