Meal and Rest Periods

The scheduling of meal periods at Greenville University is set by the employee’s immediate manager with the goal of providing the least possible disruption to University operations.

Mandatory Meal Period

Employee meal periods are important to University productivity and employee health. Employees who work at least five consecutive hours are required to take a meal break of at least 30 minutes unpaid not to exceed 60 minutes. For non-exempt employees, the meal period will not be included in the total hours of work per day and is not compensable. Nonexempt employees are to be completely relieved of all job duties while on meal breaks and must clock out for meal periods. 

Rest Breaks

Salaried exempt employees, as they are paid a weekly salary regardless of the hours they work, may choose to take breaks as needed. Non-exempt employees are permitted a 15-minute rest break for each four hours of work. Non-exempt employees on rest breaks are not required to clock in and clock out because this time is considered “time worked” and is compensable.

Impermissible Use of Meal Period and/or Rest Breaks

At the approval of the supervisor, the lunch period may be used to account for an employee's late arrival or early departure or to cover time off for other purposes. Rest breaks may not be accumulated to extend a meal period, and rest breaks may not be combined to allow one half-hour long break. 

However, all employees who are scheduled to work at least 7.5 or more continuous hours are required to at least take a one-half (1/2) hour lunch break within the first five (5) hours of their work day.