Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi Everyone,

This is my first time posting.

I was just wondering if you are an early childhood teacher and you get paid for your lunch breaks can you only work a maximum of 9.5 hours a day to make up a 38 hour week? Do paid lunch breaks count towards hours worked?

Thanks
YEP

Hi YEP,

Welcome to Aussie Childcare Network.

In regards to lunch breaks this is what it says in the Educational Services Teachers Award 2010:

B.3 Breaks

B.3.1 Meal break

(a) An employee will be entitled to a paid meal break of no more than 30 minutes, and no less than 20 minutes no later than five hours after commencing work. Provided that an employee may, by agreement with the employer, leave the premises or elect not to be on call during the meal break. In that case the meal time will not count as time worked and nor will payment be made for such time.

(b) Where an employee is called back to perform any duties within the centre or the break is interrupted for any reason the employee will be paid at time and a half for a minimum of 15 minutes and thereafter to the nearest quarter hour until an uninterrupted break, or the balance of the break, is taken.

Hope this helps!

,
Lorina