Should employees be allowed to work through their breaks?
Should employees be allowed to work through break periods? A recent study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management indicates that the answer may be yes, as long as the decision is in the hands of the employee.
In a study that will be published in an upcoming issue of the Academy of Management Journal, Professor John Trougakos tracked employees over 10 work days, finding that when workers were given autonomy during their breaks, they were more productive over all, reporting less fatigue at the end of the work day. This finding also applied to employees who chose to work through their breaks, as long as they considered it their own choice to do so.
However, there are many reasons why managers should encourage employees to take the breaks available to them. Lawsuits often result from employees who claim to have worked through their breaks unwillingly. A group of hospital workers recently filed a suit against Boston Medical Center for depriving them of pay during breaks. The workers claimed that the time and attendance system used by the hospital incorrectly deducted time and pay for breaks that were not taken.
While Fair Labor Standards Act does not require employers to provide break periods, some state requirements may differ. Make sure you are aware of the work and break policies in your state. Remember that proper use of time and attendance software is essential in avoiding costly lawsuits. It may be wise to enforce a rule mandating that workers must leave their desk during breaks. Such a rule may deprive employees of their autonomy, but preventing a lawsuit is always worthwhile.
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