lunch break
Lunch break is the name for a mostly unpaid break from working hours . The time is usually set in agreement between the employer and employee. In Germany it is usually from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in Spain or Italy between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The lunch break is used to relax and to have a snack or lunch . The standard for their amount of time in German and Austrian labor law is a right to a 30-minute break, which is due after six hours of working at the latest.
The lunch break (or any other longer break from work) can also be divided into two halves of 15 minutes each. However, it is not counted towards working hours (divided or undivided).
In the school , uninterrupted lessons may not exceed six hours. If a division is required, a longer lunch break (sometimes also called a “big break”) after five hours of lessons is customary or required by country.
Legal situation in Germany
- “The work is to be interrupted by a predetermined rest period of at least 30 minutes for a working time of more than six up to nine hours and 45 minutes for a working time of more than nine hours. The rest breaks [...] can be divided into time segments of 15 minutes each. Workers may not be employed for more than six hours in a row without breaks. ( § 4 ArbZG ) "
It is therefore not allowed to work through the lunch break in order to go home earlier.
During the break, employees are self-employed and therefore do not have statutory accident insurance .
Legal situation in Austria
- "If the total daily working time is more than six hours, the working time must be interrupted by a break of at least half an hour. If it is in the interests of the company's employees or is necessary for operational reasons, instead of a half-hour break, two breaks of fifteen minutes each or three breaks of ten minutes each can be granted ... ( Section 11 AZG ) "
A company agreement allows the break to be divided differently or shortened to up to fifteen minutes.
