Break information

Rest breaks

How many breaks do I get?

15 minutes of paid break time for every 4 hours worked and 30 minutes unpaid break time for every 8 hours worked. This means:

• 8 hour shifts get two 15 minute paid breaks and one 30 minute unpaid break.
• 12 hour shifts get three paid 15 minute breaks and one 30 minute unpaid break.

You are entitled to a 15-minute uninterrupted break for each 4-hour block worked If you missed your first rest break and should be clocking out that you missed a break, and you must be paid an additional 15 minutes at the appropriate rate (i.e.. if it puts you into daily overtime, it is paid at the overtime rate.) The intent of our state laws and contract is to ensure that you are rested and receive adequate relief at appropriate times.

What if I don’t get all of my breaks?

Indicate on the Kronos time clock which break(s) you didn’t get. It is also important to let management know you missed breaks.

Meals

You are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break for every 5 hours of work. For 12-hour nurses, you are entitled to a second unpaid meal period which you may waive. If you do wish to take it, you would have to work 13 hours to receive your full pay for that shift. Twelve-hour nurses are entitled to 3 breaks and 2 meals.

Both your meal(s) and your breaks must be uninterrupted. If you are interrupted and can’t restart the break or meal, then you should record it as missed. You must be completely relieved of duties during breaks and meals or they are paid, and you should clock them as missed.

Why do I need to indicate my missed breaks in Kronos?

You worked the extra time and deserve to be paid for it. It’s Management’s responsibility to make sure you have break coverage, but the nurse should be making sure the breaks are taken.

What if my ANM or Manager objects to my reporting my missed breaks?

Remind them you must report your breaks truthfully. Call your Unit Rep (Michelle Moore) or grievance officer (Susan Dunn) about any type of negative response from your leadership.

In addition to logging your missed break in Kronos, take 90 seconds to log it in this online ADO form so that your staffing committee designee has a record of all missed breaks on the unit (When you click on the ADO form, select your employer from the drop-down menu, fill in your name and shift info, check the box that applies to you, then scroll down and hit ‘submit’)

Please contact WSNA immediately if you are not paid for missed breaks and meal periods.

Upcoming ADO training

Did you know? You can use an online ADO form to document any unsafe working condition. That includes: missed breaks, equipment malfunction, inadequate nurse to patient ratios for patient acuity… and more! Click on this link to document your situation or to see all of the available boxes you can check: www.wsna.org/ado.

Have you have often found yourself in a situation where you don’t know if you should fill out an ADO or not? Or are you unsure what happens to an ADO after you fill one out? Come to our quick 30-minute online training! Secure your spot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F45AEAA2FA5F58-improving.

The RNs on your Staffing Committee, along with management, review the staffing PSA/ADOs on the second Monday of every month. Does your unit have a rep on the staffing committee? If not and you would like to join, please contact your WSNA Nurse Rep, Michelle Moore, at mmoore@wsna.org.

Where do I find the ADO form?

The online fillable form is available here: www.wsna.org/ado.

To sign up for a 30-minute training on “How and When to use an ADO form”, use the link below to register via signup genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F45AEAA2FA5F58-improving

Are you interested in attending the 2021 Washington State Nurses Convention for free? This year, your Local Unit leaders are sponsoring 10 nurses on a first come, first served basis to attend the virtual convention April 28-29.

If you’ve never been able to fit the convention into your schedule or budget, this is your opportunity. This year, we’ll have a fantastic lineup of speakers presenting on important topics relevant to your practice, including how to achieve patient and workforce safety and how to create a culture of anti-racism in health care. Earn up to 8.25 CNEs!

Because of our move to a virtual convention, we’re able to offer registration for the low price of $50 for WSNA members. But if you reserve your spot for sponsorship, your Local Unit will reimburse your $50 registration fee.

For more information and to request sponsorship, contact Michelle Moore WSNA Rep at mmoore@wsna.org or 206-575-7979 ext. 3019.