What are the legal requirements for lunch breaks? Is an employee allowed to work a shortened lunch break, i.e. 30mins rather than 1 hour, in order to leave 30minutes early?

Alternative rest breaks may established by agreement between the employer and the employee, and this is a matter between the parties. Employers should consider whether or not permitting flexible rest breaks may create a custom and practice of such arrangements and whether this may be problematic in the future.

Under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, employers must ensure that employees receive a minimum break of 15 minutes after a 4 and a half hour work period. Where employees work in excess of 6 hours, they are entitled to a break of 30 minutes, which can include the first 15-minute break. There is no entitlement to be paid during these breaks and they are not considered part of