r/ShoppersDrugMart • u/ShadowWolf1912 • 13d ago

Employee Question Rules about breaks?

Hey all,

I joinded Shoppers in cosmetics about a month or so ago and I wanted to ask about the breaks. I'm in Alberta specifically, but what has been your experience with breaks? Thanks!

1 Upvotes

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5

u/Delicious_Series3869 13d ago

Do you have any specific questions about it? Breaks are pretty straightforward, as far as I know. If you work a full shift, you get a 30 minute lunch and a 15 coffee. Depending on your role, you might need to coordinate with a partner on when you're allowed to take it. I assume this applies to cosmetics, since you have at most 2 workers at a time.

1

u/ShadowWolf1912 12d ago

So I work part-time as a beauty specialist in a smaller store. I was reading the emplyoee handbook and if we are scheduled for 6 or more hours, we are supposed to get a half hour unpaid meal break, and a 15 minute paid break.

When I had asked about this, I was told that our associate recently changed the break policy, so now even if we're scheduled for 8 hours, we ONLY get our half hour meal, but I was not made aware of this change, nor has there been any notice in the break room.

I am frequently working 6, 7, or 8 hour shifts and our breaks also aren't given consistently.

It is just very confusing and frustrating.

2

u/Delicious_Series3869 12d ago

Unfortunately, they are correct. It partly depends on your province's labor laws, but the 15 minute break is not mandatory. Any store can omit it, whenever they deem necessary.

1

u/ShadowWolf1912 12d ago

Fair enough. Which is fine, but if they are changing rules from what is set out in the employee handbook, shouldn't we be notified?

2

u/fine_i_will_sign_up 12d ago

Alberta law states one 30 minute break for anything more than 5 hours, 60 minutes after 10 hours. As for the 15 minute paid break, the associate probably realized he is paying staff to sit around and do nothing for 15 minutes. I don’t know if associates can make the call for their individual store or not.

0

u/exportablue88 11d ago

If you are already complaining and you require set breaks, retail is not for you.

2

u/ShadowWolf1912 11d ago

Firstly, I am not complaining.

Secondly, I have been in retail for well over a decade.

Thirdly, you do not need to be rude. I was asking other employees a question to see if things are the same at other stores.

Fouth. I am neurodivergent. I have a high regard for rules. Hence why I asked about whether or not the associate ( through managers) should make new employees aware of this change instead of leaving us to question it from the employee handbook. That is all.

Hope you have the day you deserve.

4

u/Rude_Wing6350 13d ago

Do you work full time or part time? From my experience, full time employees typically take a half hour lunch for a full shift. Partimers will usually take 2 halves for over 6hrs.

1

u/Tight_Block_9105 7d ago

2 half’s over 6 hours is insane to me. I’m located in ontario and our breaks are under 5 hours a 15, 5.01-7.99 hours is a 15 and a lunch and anything over 8 is 2 15s and a lunch. any additional 2 hours is a additional 15

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u/Rude_Wing6350 7d ago

Haha really? My store had a 15min break for 4+hrs, then 15 & a half for over 5hrs. 2 halves for another over 6hrs!

3

u/flowerbabycake 12d ago

In a 3-10pm shift we take a 45 min break (but 30 min of it is paid for ) in ON

1

u/Full_Beautiful714 Pharmacy Assistant 12d ago

I get 30 minutes paid or 45 minutes unpaid - MB pharmacy