Up until recently some workers at Hoyts cinemas have been employed on the minimum 3 hour shift there and not been getting a paid break.

Christchurch Unite organiser Joe Davies pointed out to Hoyts that they were in breach of the law (as of April 1st 2009), and they have now modified their breaks practice.

Now any employee working the three hour shift will get a 15 minute paid break.

By law employees are entitled to a minimum of:

- one 10-minute paid rest break if their work period is 2 hours or more but not more than 4 hours

- one 10-minute paid rest break and one unpaid 30-minute meal break if their work period is more than 4 hours but not more than 6 hours

- two 10-minute paid rest breaks and one unpaid 30-minute meal break if their work period is more than 6 hours but not more than 8 hours.

These requirements begin over again if an employee’s work period is more than 8 hours.

More about breaks.