---
title: "Configure Break Rules"
slug: "configure-break-rules-1"
description: "Set up break rules in WorkEasy, including time of day, worked hours, floating, and automatic breaks, plus deduction and payment settings."
tags: ["employees", "personnel", "staff"]
updated: 2026-10-20T12:21:33Z
published: 2026-10-20T12:21:33Z
canonical: "help.workeasysoftware.com/configure-break-rules-1"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.workeasysoftware.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configure Break Rules

Break rules define when employees can take breaks, how break time is recorded, whether the break is paid, and which employees or groups receive the rule.

You can add one or more break types to the same rule:

- **Time of Day:** Makes a break available during a defined time window.
- **Worked Hours:** Makes a break available after an employee has worked for a specified amount of time.
- **Floating Break:** Provides a break without a fixed time or worked-hours window.
- **Automatic Break:** Automatically deducts break time after a specified amount of worked time.

> [!WARNING]
> Important
> 
> Your organization is responsible for configuring break rules according to its policies and applicable requirements. WorkEasy provides configuration options but does not determine which settings your organization should use.

### Before you begin

Confirm the following information before creating a rule:

- The employees or groups who should receive the rule
- The date the rule should take effect
- The break type or types to include
- The permitted break duration
- Whether the break should be paid
- Whether break time should be completed or deducted automatically
- The applicable time code and job-costing treatment, when required

### Create a Break Rule

1. Go to **Global Settings > Time Tracking > Breaks**.
2. Select **Create Rule**.
3. In **Name**, enter a name that identifies the rule.
4. In **Starting on**, select when the rule should take effect.
5. Under **Audience**, select one of the following:
  - **Everyone**
  - **Specific group**
  - **Specific employee**
6. If breaks should not be recorded for the selected audience, select **Do Not Track Breaks**.
7. Under **Add Break Rule**, select the break type to configure.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-AQ3X8LV9.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A13%3A22Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A13%3A22Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=0HBLsUuluuw0b91DZa%2BzPWm9v8siToREa4a%2BQUMHtnQ%3D)

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-JOV50BHP.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A13%3A22Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A13%3A22Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=0HBLsUuluuw0b91DZa%2BzPWm9v8siToREa4a%2BQUMHtnQ%3D)

### Configure a Time of Day Break

Use **Time of Day** when employees can take a break during a defined time window.

1. Under **Add Break Rule**, select **Time of Day**.
2. In **Break Name**, enter the name employees should see.
3. In **Break is allowed to be taken, starting at**, enter the earliest time the break can begin.
4. In **Break must be taken before**, enter the end of the available break window.
5. In **Break Duration**, enter the standard break length.
6. Optional: Select **Enforce a Minimum Break Duration**, then enter the minimum duration.
7. Optional: Select **Allow extended break**, then enter the additional time under **Allow extended break of**.
8. Configure the applicable deduction and payment settings.
9. Select **Ok**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-BYGGH6IU.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A13%3A22Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A13%3A22Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=0HBLsUuluuw0b91DZa%2BzPWm9v8siToREa4a%2BQUMHtnQ%3D)

### Configure a Worked Hours Break

Use **Worked Hours** when a break should become available after an employee has worked for a specified amount of time.

1. Under **Add Break Rule**, select **Worked Hours**.
2. In **Break Name**, enter the name employees should see.
3. In **Break is allowed to be taken after working more than**, enter the amount of time the employee must work before the break becomes available.
4. In **Break must be taken before**, enter the worked-hours limit for taking the break.
5. In **Break Duration**, enter the standard break length.
6. Optional: Select **Enforce a Minimum Break Duration**, then enter the minimum duration.
7. Optional: Select **Allow extended break**.
8. Configure the applicable deduction and payment settings.
9. Select **Ok**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-EXSQEII0.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A13%3A22Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A13%3A22Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=0HBLsUuluuw0b91DZa%2BzPWm9v8siToREa4a%2BQUMHtnQ%3D)

### Automatically Deduct a Worked Hours Break

If WorkEasy should deduct break time based on worked hours:

1. Expand **Deductions**.
2. Select **Automatically Deduct**.
3. In **Deduct from time code**, select the time code from which the break should be deducted.
4. In **Time to deduct**, enter the amount of break time to deduct.
5. In **Deduct after working**, enter when the deduction should occur. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-38O8S95F.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A13%3A22Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A13%3A22Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=0HBLsUuluuw0b91DZa%2BzPWm9v8siToREa4a%2BQUMHtnQ%3D)

### Configure a Floating Break

Use **Floating Break** when the break does not require a fixed time or worked-hours window.

1. Under **Add Break Rule**, select **Floating Break**.
2. In **Break Name**, enter the name employees should see.
3. Optional: Select **Allow the break to be taken multiple times, up to**, then enter the maximum number of times.
4. In **Break Duration**, enter the standard break length.
5. Optional: Select **Enforce a Minimum Break Duration**, then enter the minimum duration.
6. Optional: Select **Allow extended break**.
7. Configure the applicable deduction and payment settings.
8. Select **Ok**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-EELI8OVI.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A13%3A22Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A13%3A22Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=0HBLsUuluuw0b91DZa%2BzPWm9v8siToREa4a%2BQUMHtnQ%3D)

### Configure an Automatic Break

Use **Automatic Break** when WorkEasy should deduct break time automatically after a defined amount of worked time.

1. Under **Add Break Rule**, select **Automatic Break**.
2. In **Break Name**, enter the break name.
3. In **Break Duration**, enter the amount of time to deduct.
4. In **Deduct after working**, enter when the deduction should occur.
5. Optional: Select **Force break deduction**.
6. Optional: Select **Repeat every** and enter the worked-time interval for subsequent deductions.
7. In **Deduct from time code**, select the applicable time code.
8. Configure the applicable payment settings.
9. Select **Ok**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-GVFFDAGK.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A13%3A22Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A13%3A22Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=0HBLsUuluuw0b91DZa%2BzPWm9v8siToREa4a%2BQUMHtnQ%3D)

### Configure Deduction Settings

The **Deductions** section is available for Time of Day, Worked Hours, and Floating Breaks.

- **Automatically Complete (To Break Duration):** Completes the recorded break up to the configured duration.
- **Automatically Deduct:** Deducts break time according to the configured time code, deduction amount, and worked-time threshold.

These settings can be selected together when both behaviors are required.

> [!WARNING]
> Automatic deductions
> 
> Automatically Deduct and Automatic Break assume the employee took the break. If an employee works through a break, the deducted time may go unpaid. Review No Break and Short Break exceptions before approving timesheets, and confirm that your deduction settings match your policies and applicable requirements.

### Configure Payment and Job-Costing Settings

1. Expand **Payment**.
2. Select **Pay break**.
3. In **Pay Up To**, enter the maximum break time to pay.
4. In **Pay after working**, enter the worked-time threshold that must be met before the break is paid.
5. In **Time code**, select the time code used for paid break time.
6. Under **Job Costing Break Options**, select the applicable option:
  - **Apply Previous Job to Pay Break**
  - **Pay Break at Job Rate**
  - **Pay Break at Employee Base Rate**

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-GVQMGLAX.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A13%3A22Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A13%3A22Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=0HBLsUuluuw0b91DZa%2BzPWm9v8siToREa4a%2BQUMHtnQ%3D)

### Complete the Rule

1. Review each configured break in the table.
2. Add any additional break types required for the same audience.
3. Optional: Select **Auto-select break** to allow WorkEasy to select the applicable break automatically.
4. Optional: Select **Hide breaks that do not apply** to prevent employees from seeing inapplicable breaks.
5. Under **Advanced**, select **Employee timezone** or **Specific timezone**.
6. If the rule should follow a recurring schedule, configure **Has recurrence**.
7. Select **Save**.

The saved rule appears on the **Breaks** page under its assigned audience. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-0I5RPXD8.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A13%3A22Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A13%3A22Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=0HBLsUuluuw0b91DZa%2BzPWm9v8siToREa4a%2BQUMHtnQ%3D)

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/88d7ebef-752e-45d9-95e1-ee13bd7279c5/Images/Documentation/image-IM8YIM32.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A13%3A22Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A13%3A22Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=0HBLsUuluuw0b91DZa%2BzPWm9v8siToREa4a%2BQUMHtnQ%3D)

### Find or Review Existing Break Rules

Use the controls on the **Breaks** page to locate existing rules:

- Select **All**, **Everyone**, **Groups**, or **Employees** to filter by audience.
- Use **Search by audience or rule name** to find a rule.
- Use **Effective as of** to review rules for a particular effective date.
- Select **Include ended rules** to include rules that are no longer active.
- Select **View Assignments** to review rule assignments.

### Related Configuration

Break alerts are configured separately under **Global Settings > Time Tracking > Alerts**. See **Break Alerts** for information about notifications for Worked Hours breaks.

## Related

- [How WorkEasy Software Supports Biometric Privacy Compliance with Biometric Privacy Laws](/how-workeasy-supports-biometric-privacy-compliance.md)
- [Device Requirements for the Kiosk App](/device-requirements-for-the-kiosk-app.md)