Work break planner

Breaks are in HSE guidance and, for longer days, in law. Here is your day with them written in.

Your details

8 h from 09:00, a break every 60 minutes

1 h 5 min

of breaks in your day, lunch included

Short breaks7 x 5 min
Break times10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00
Lunch30 min (covers your 20 minute right)
Finish17:00

This matches HSE screen work advice: short breaks often, such as 5 to 10 minutes every hour. Working more than 6 hours gives you the right to one unbroken 20 minute break, and 11 hours off between working days.

The working

Starting 09:00, 8 hours, a 5 minute break every hour, 30 for lunch

That gives 7 short breaks at 10:00, 11:00 and on the hour until 16:00, plus a 30 minute lunch: 1 h 5 min of breaks, finishing at 17:00. The 30 minute lunch covers your legal right to a 20 minute rest break.

Your rights

From GOV.UK

Right	Detail
Rest break	20 minutes unbroken if you work more than 6 hours a day
Daily rest	11 hours in a row between working days
Weekly rest	24 hours a week or 48 hours a fortnight
Under 18s	30 minutes if working more than 4.5 hours

Screen breaks

From HSE

If you use a screen for long spells, your employer should plan your work so you can have breaks or changes of activity. HSE says short, frequent breaks are better than longer, less frequent ones, so 5 to 10 minutes every hour beats 20 minutes every 2 hours.

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

Know your contractYour contract may give you more breaks than the legal minimum.
Cover every jobSome jobs have different rules, such as drivers and some shift workers.
Give legal adviceAcas can help with questions about breaks.

Questions

Common questions

Am I entitled to a break at work?

If you are an adult and work more than 6 hours a day, you have the right to one uninterrupted 20 minute rest break. It does not have to be paid.

How often should I take screen breaks?

HSE says short, frequent breaks are better, such as 5 to 10 minutes every hour, rather than 20 minutes every 2 hours.

Do I get a break if I work 6 hours exactly?

The legal break applies when you work more than 6 hours, but many employers give one anyway.

Can my employer tell me when to take my break?

Yes, as long as it is not at the start or end of your working day.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

If work is getting to you

Talk to your manager, HR, an occupational health service or a union rep if you have one. If stress is affecting your sleep, mood or health, see your GP. Your GP can help, or you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies. Samaritans on 116 123 are free, day or night, you can text SHOUT to 85258, and for urgent help call NHS 111 and choose option 2. Call 999 if you or someone else is in danger right now.