Raken gives you the flexibility to capture breaks in multiple ways depending on your company's requirements or the state you're working in. Break rules are configured inside your Time Policy and apply automatically to all employees assigned to that policy.
Quick Answer
To configure breaks for a Time Policy in Raken:
Log into the Raken web app.
Click Company in the left side menu, then click Time, then click Policies.
Click Edit policy on the policy you want to update.
Click Breaks in the policy left side menu.
Enable Meal breaks and/or Rest breaks using the toggles.
Set default duration, minimum duration, and compensation type for each break.
Click the orange Save button.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Navigate to Breaks
Log into the Raken web app. Click Company in the left side menu. Click Time, then click Policies. Click Edit policy on the policy you want to configure.
This feature is only available on the Raken web app.
Step 2: Open the Breaks Section
Click Breaks in the policy left side menu. You will see the default break types for the policy — Default Policy Rest (10 min, paid) and Default Policy Meal (30 min, unpaid). Columns show: Types, Default duration, Minimum duration, Compensation, and Enabled.
Step 3: Enable Break Types
Use the toggle on the right side of each break type to activate or deactivate Meal breaks and Rest breaks for this policy.
Step 4: Edit Break Settings
To adjust the settings for a break type, click the pencil icon to the right of the break. You can update:
Default duration — the standard length of the break
Minimum duration — the shortest allowable break duration
Compensation — whether the break is paid or unpaid
Step 5: Configure Break Tracking Requirements
Click Settings in the policy left side menu. In the Break tracking section, specify how supervisors must capture break details on time cards. Choose from:
Require start and end time — supervisors enter when the break started and ended
Require start time and duration — supervisors enter when the break started and how long it lasted
Require break duration only — supervisors enter only how long the break was
The right option depends on your state's labor requirements and your payroll system's needs. Detailed start/end time tracking is recommended for states with strict break compliance requirements.
Step 6: Save
Click the orange Save button in the top right corner. The updated break settings apply to all future time cards for employees assigned to this policy.
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Do break changes apply to existing time cards?
No. Break configuration changes apply only to time cards created after the change is saved. Existing time cards follow the rules that were active when they were created.
Can I have different break rules for different projects?
Yes. If a project has unique break requirements, you can assign a different Time Policy to that project using project-level exceptions. See Enabling and Managing Project Level Time Policy Exceptions.
Can employees log their own breaks when using Time Clock?
Yes. When Time Clock is enabled, employees can log breaks directly from their device when clocking in and out. The break types available to them are determined by the breaks configured in their assigned Time Policy.
What is the difference between paid and unpaid breaks?
Paid breaks count toward the employee's total hours for the day. Unpaid breaks are deducted from total hours. This affects overtime calculations — configure compensation type carefully to ensure accurate payroll.
Technical Specifications
Compatibility: All major web browsers — Time Policy configuration is web-only
Offline Capability: No — requires an active connection
Data Format: N/A — break settings govern time card calculations but are not directly exportable
Plan Required: No plan restrictions — available on all Raken plans
Add-on Required: None
Role Required: Account Administrator only
Considerations
Only Account Administrators can create and edit break rules.
Break configuration changes apply to future time cards only — existing time cards are not retroactively updated.
Break settings also apply to projects assigned to this policy via project-level exceptions.
No plan restrictions apply — this feature is available on all Raken plans.
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More Questions?
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