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বাংলা Shifton has four break types. They are not mutually exclusive — all four can be used in the same company simultaneously. The difference lies in who initiates the break and how it is configured.
Overview: 4 Break Types
| Type | Description | Who Initiates |
|---|---|---|
| Simple break | A fixed number of minutes is deducted from the shift | Configured in the template, no action required from the employee |
| Scheduled break | A break with a specific time window, employees go in sequence | System (by schedule) |
| Unscheduled break | The employee takes a break at any time within established limits | Employee |
| Break request | The employee sends a request to the manager, the break is created after approval | Employee → Manager |
1. Simple Break
Where to configure: Shift template → Break field (in minutes).
The simplest type. You specify how many minutes to deduct from the shift duration when calculating pay. There is no interface for the employee.
How it works:
- Shift period: 09:00–18:00 = 9 hours.
- Break: 60 min.
- Paid shift duration: 8 hours.
If the Pay employees for breaks parameter is enabled in Salary Settings, the break is considered paid and the duration remains 9 hours.
When to use: for a standard lunch break that is the same for everyone.
2. Scheduled Break
Where to configure: Shift template → Set up breaks checkbox → Add break.
A break with a clearly defined time window. Multiple breaks can be added to a single template.
Fields when creating:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Break name (e.g., “Lunch”, “Coffee”) |
| Duration | Duration from 5 to 240 minutes (in 5-minute increments) |
| Paid | If enabled — break time is paid |
| Start | Start of the time window |
| End | End of the time window |
| At the same time | Maximum number of employees on break simultaneously |
Cascading queue. With At the same time = 1, the system queues employees:
- Employee 1: 10:00–10:05
- Employee 2: 10:05–10:10
- Employee 3: 10:10–10:15
The Attendance module is not required for Scheduled breaks. Breaks are defined in the shift template.
Missed break: marked gray on the schedule; the manager receives a notification (if notifications are enabled).
When to use: when it is important that breaks do not overlap and leave the team short-staffed.
3. Unscheduled Break
Where to configure: Module Settings → Breaks (Unscheduled breaks section).
Requires: Breaks + Attendance modules (both must be enabled).
The employee starts and ends the break themselves through the app. You only set the limits.
Configuration parameters:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Allow to start break at any time | Allow a free break |
| Limit number of employees on break | Limit the number of employees on break |
| Max employees on break at same time | Maximum number (e.g., 1) |
| Pay for the break | Whether the break is considered paid |
| Break duration (min) | Break duration |
Limits by shift length (Break limit section):
| Shift Length | Max Break |
|---|---|
| ≥ 9 hours | 60 min |
| ≥ 12 hours | 90 min |
Unclosed break. In Activities with open breaks, choose the behavior:
– Notify managers and employee — send a notification.
– Close — close the break automatically.
How an employee takes an unscheduled break:
| Step | Action | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | During an active shift, open Attendance in the top bar | Your active shift is displayed with a Start break button |
| 2 | Tap Start break | The break timer begins |
| 3 | Open the Attendance list when the break is over | You see an End break button and elapsed time |
| 4 | Tap End break | The break is recorded, shift timer resumes |
If the Start break button is not visible — check that the Breaks module is enabled, the Attendance module is enabled, and the employee has an active shift.
When to use: for a dynamic environment where the exact break time is not known in advance.
4. Break Request
Where to configure: Schedule settings → Allow employees to create breaks.
Requires: the Breaks module enabled.
The employee sends a request, the manager approves or declines. After approval, the break appears in the schedule.
Workflow:
For details on submitting and approving requests, see Break Creation Request.
When to use: when it is important to coordinate breaks and control team workload.
Breaks Module: Activation and Settings
How to enable the module
Cost: $0/month + $0.50/employee/month. Trial period — 1 month.
Unscheduled breaks also require an active Attendance module.
Module Settings → Breaks Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Show warning when changing shift times | Warn when shift times are changed |
| Permissible change in duration (min) | Allowable deviation in shift duration (default 90 min) |
| Unscheduled breaks | Unscheduled break settings (see section 3 above) |
| Break limit | Limits by shift length |
| Activities with open breaks | What to do with unclosed breaks: Notify / Close |
Impact of Breaks on Salary Calculation
Paid vs Unpaid
| Break Type | Unpaid (default) | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Simple break | Deducted from paid hours | Not deducted |
| Scheduled break | Configured per break (Paid field) | Configured per break |
| Unscheduled break | Configured in Module Settings | Configured in Module Settings |
Global override. In Company Settings → Salary Settings, the Pay employees for breaks checkbox — if enabled, all company breaks are considered paid.
How an Unpaid Break Affects a Shift
| Shift | Break | Paid Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00–18:00 | 60 min, unpaid | 8 h |
| 09:00–18:00 | 60 min, paid | 9 h |
| 09:00–18:00 | 30 min, unpaid | 8.5 h |
| 09:00–18:00 | 0 min | 9 h |
Effect on Other Modules
Break Swap
Exchange scheduled break slots with a colleague. To activate:
After this, employees can send each other break swap requests.
Related Articles
- Breaks During Shifts — How to Start and End
- Breaks Module
- Attendance Overview
- Adding Shifts
- Break Creation Request
- Break Swap
- Salary Settings
FAQ
Q: Can I use multiple break types at the same time?
A: Yes. For example, a shift can have a Simple break (60 min for lunch) while also allowing Unscheduled breaks for short pauses.
Q: Can I combine a Simple break and a Scheduled break in the same shift?
A: Yes. A Simple break sets the standard deduction, while a Scheduled break adds specific time windows for breaks.
Q: What is the difference between scheduled and unscheduled breaks?
A: Scheduled breaks are built into the shift template and visible in advance. Unscheduled breaks are taken spontaneously by the employee during the shift.
Q: Is the Attendance module required for Scheduled breaks?
A: No. Scheduled breaks are defined in the shift template and do not require Attendance. Attendance is only needed for Unscheduled breaks.
Q: How do I add a break to a shift template?
A: When creating or editing a shift template — check the Set up breaks checkbox → click Add break → fill in Title, Duration, Start/End window, At the same time.
Q: How many breaks can be added to a single shift template?
A: There is no limit. Multiple Scheduled breaks with different time windows can be added.
Q: Can I set a default break for all new shifts?
A: Yes. In the shift template, specify the break duration in minutes — it will be applied automatically.
Q: Can I set different break durations for different shift templates?
A: Yes. Each shift template has its own break field — set the desired duration when creating the template.
Q: Why doesn’t the employee see the start break button?
A: For Unscheduled breaks, both modules are required: Breaks and Attendance. An active shift is also needed.
Q: An employee cannot start a break — why?
A: The concurrent employee limit has been reached, or the maximum break time for the shift has been exhausted.
Q: How do I limit the number of employees on break simultaneously?
A: For Unscheduled: Module Settings → Breaks → Limit number of employees on break → enter the number.
For Scheduled: in the shift template break settings, set At the same time → desired number.
Q: What does “At the same time” = 0 mean?
A: A value of 0 means an unlimited number of employees on break simultaneously.
Q: What happens if an employee goes on break and does not return?
A: The system records an open break. According to the Activities with open breaks setting, it will either send a notification or close automatically at the end of the shift.
Q: What happens if the employee forgets to tap End Break?
A: If the Close option is enabled in the unscheduled break settings, the system automatically closes the break after the allotted time.
Q: What happens if an employee misses a scheduled break?
A: The missed break is marked gray on the schedule, and the manager receives a notification (if notifications are enabled).
Q: Where is the break pay priority set?
A: Salary Settings → Pay employees for breaks (global) overrides all individual settings. If disabled, each break’s own settings apply.
Q: Is a Simple break paid by default?
A: No. A Simple break is deducted from paid hours. To make it paid, enable Pay employees for breaks in Salary Settings.
Q: Break time is not showing in payroll.
A: Enable “Pay for break” in Module Settings or in Salary Settings.
Q: Are breaks deducted from working hours in reports?
A: It depends on the Pay for break setting. If disabled, break time is deducted from paid time.
Q: How do I view break history in reports?
A: Reports → Employee Working Hours — the “Breaks” column shows total break time for the period.
Q: Can the employee see the current break time?
A: Yes. The Attendance list shows a timer with elapsed break time.
Q: Can I exchange break slots with a colleague?
A: Yes. The Break Swap feature is available when the Allow employees to swap breaks option is enabled in schedule settings.
Q: Different break rules for different projects?
A: No — break settings are configured at the company level in Module Settings.
Q: Can I set different break limits for different projects?
A: No. Break settings are configured at the company level in Module Settings.
Q: Is the Attendance module required to use breaks?
A: For scheduled breaks (Scheduled/Simple) — no. For unscheduled breaks — yes.
Q: How much does the Breaks module cost?
A: $0/month + $0.50 per active employee per month. Trial period — 1 month. Example: 30 employees = $15/month.
Q: Is Break request time counted in working hours?
A: It depends on the settings. An unpaid Break request is deducted from working time. A paid one is not.
Q: Can a manager decline a Break request?
A: Yes. A Break request goes through an approval/decline process — the manager makes the decision manually.
Q: Where does the employee see a Break request after creating it?
A: In the Requests section of the page or in the mobile app — Requests section.
Q: Can I set up automatic break closure when time expires?
A: Yes. The Activities with open breaks → Close setting. When enabled, the system automatically closes uncompleted breaks.
Q: How does an employee start a scheduled break?
A: In the mobile app or web interface during an active shift — tap the Start Break button. The start time is recorded by the system.