Calculate Work Hours With Breaks
Break handling is one of the biggest sources of timesheet disputes. This page is focused on turning shift length into paid hours after unpaid meal-break deductions.
Break Deduction Rule
Calculate total shift duration first, then subtract unpaid break minutes. Paid time is what remains after break deductions.
Break-Focused Examples
9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, 30-minute unpaid break: 8h 00m paid.
7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 45-minute unpaid break: 8h 15m paid.
10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, 60-minute unpaid break: 8h 00m paid.
Typical Mistakes To Avoid
Do not subtract paid rest breaks as unpaid time. Also avoid counting lunch twice when manually editing time cards.
FAQ
What is the simplest way to deduct lunch from a shift?
Calculate total shift time first, then subtract only the unpaid lunch minutes.
Do paid rest breaks reduce worked hours?
Usually no. Paid rest breaks are typically still counted as worked time.
Who benefits most from this break-focused page?
Shift workers, managers, and payroll reviewers who need to verify paid time after break deductions.