How to Turn On Missed Break Penalties

In certain states, when an employee misses a mandated break, they may be eligible for extra compensation to compensate for the missed break. Homebase simplifies this process by allowing you to automatically convert missed breaks into additional pay.

Note: Break penalty settings are only available for California-based businesses.

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How to Turn On Missed Break Penalties

1. Click Settings on the left side of the screen.
2. Click Breaks & Compliance under Time Tracking.
3. After selecting your break options, check the box next to Award additional paid hours for missed breaks.
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4. Enter the number of hours the employee will receive in pay if a break is missed. 
5. Click Save Changes in the upper right corner of the screen to finalize.

Note: If a missed break is added to a time card that has an accrued break penalty, the accrued hours will be removed.

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How are break penalties calculated?

Break penalties are automatically calculated based on California labor law requirements. When a time card is edited—including changes to clock in, clock out, or break times—the system automatically recalculates any applicable break penalties. Break penalties are also calculated when an OAM manually adds a time card.

Penalty Rules

 

Note: Break penalty settings are only visible for California locations and existing locations where this feature has been enabled.