Mars US
Meal Periods and Breaks (PR)
(effective March 2020)
This policy is a supplement to the Meal Periods and Breaks Policy US. It applies to sites and Non-Exempt Associates in Puerto Rico.
Meal Periods
Mars provides all Non-Exempt Associates who work more than five (5) hours in a shift with a one (1) hour unpaid, off-duty meal period.
Associates must begin their meal period no earlier than 2 hours and 59 minutes into their shift and no later than 5 hours and 59 minutes into their shift.
Associates are required to punch out for meal periods and punch in when they go back to work. Associates are expected to accurately report all time worked on their timecards.
Associates who miss a meal break should report to their Line Manager or create a request on the MyP&O portal and properly code their timecards. When Associates miss a meal break, they are entitled to be paid time and a half for work performed during the meal period. If work conditions or scheduling cause an Associate to miss meal periods, or they are discouraged from taking a meal period, the Associate should report the circumstances to their Line Manager or create a request on the MyP&O portal so they can be corrected.
- Reduction of First Meal Period: A meal period must be for one (1) hour unless the Associate and Mars mutually agree in writing to reduce the meal period. A meal period cannot be reduced less than thirty (30) minutes. A reduction of the meal period must be for the mutual benefit of the Associate and Mars. Associates should properly code their timecards.
- Waiver of First Meal Period: An Associate may waive the first meal period if the Associate’s workday will be completed in six (6) hours or less. A waiver of the meal period must be mutually agreed upon in writing. Associates should properly code their timecards.
- Second Meal Period: A second meal period is required if an Associate works more than five (5) consecutive hours after the first meal period. If the total hours worked is no more than twelve (12) hours and the first meal period was not waived, then the second meal period may be reduced or waived by the Associate. The reduction or waiver of the second meal period must be mutually beneficial for the Associate and Mars and must be agreed to in writing.
Rest Breaks
Paid rest breaks are provided as per mandated state and local laws. Mars provides two 15-minute paid rest breaks per 8-hour shift. Rest breaks are paid regardless of whether the Associate punches out. These breaks should be scheduled so there is no interruption of work.
Associates are not permitted to work off-the-clock, to shorten or skip their meal or rest breaks, use breaks to compensate for arriving late or leaving early, or use rest breaks to extend their meal breaks.
On occasion when circumstances prevent Associates from taking all or part of their meal or rest break, they are required to record the shortened or skipped break in the Timekeeping System. If work conditions or other circumstances cause an Associate to perform work off-of-the-clock, the Associate should report the conditions to his/her Line Manager or create a request on the MyP&O portal so that the timecard can be corrected.
Associates who regularly work off-the-clock or skip or shorten meal breaks may be subject to counseling, and repeated violations may be subject to disciplinary action. Associates will not ordinarily be subject to disciplinary action for skipping rest breaks unless breaks are required by applicable law, but Associates should code missed breaks in the Timekeeping System and notify their Line Managers or create a request on the MyP&O portal.
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For additional information, refer to the following policy documents: |