Can we require employees to remain on our premises during rest breaks?
HRCalifornia
No. Under Augustus v. ABM Security Systems, Inc., employers must relieve employees of all duties and control during rest breaks, including how they spend their time.
The California Labor Commissioner has stated that employers cannot require employees to remain on the premises during rest breaks.
However, employers may discipline employees who fail to follow rest break policies, such as not returning on time.
Read about "Providing the Rest Break" in Rest Breaks in the HR Library.
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