--- title: How to Manage Break Types description: The Breaks section lets you define the break types available to your team. Each type has a name, duration, and payroll status — so breaks are tracked consistently and show up correctly in payroll exports. --- [Skip to content](https://help.jointimecloud.com/how-to-manage-break-types#main-content) [Contact us](https://help.jointimecloud.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![Timecloud-Logo-600-2](https://help.jointimecloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Timecloud-Logo-600-2.png?width=200&height=40&name=Timecloud-Logo-600-2.png)](https://help.jointimecloud.com/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Contact us](https://help.jointimecloud.com/kb-tickets/new) - [Go to app.jointimecloud.com](https://app.jointimecloud.com/) [Go to app.jointimecloud.com](https://app.jointimecloud.com/) Got questions? Ask away - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Service Portal](https://help.jointimecloud.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Settings](https://help.jointimecloud.com/settings?hsLang=en) # How to Manage Break Types ## The Breaks section lets you define the break types available to your team. Each type has a name, duration, and payroll status — so breaks are tracked consistently and show up correctly in payroll exports. #### Getting There 1. Click **Settings** (cog icon) in the left sidebar. 2. Select **Breaks** from the settings menu. ![Image 17-04-2026 at 11.13 AM](https://help.jointimecloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Image%2017-04-2026%20at%2011.13%20AM.jpeg?width=670&height=363&name=Image%2017-04-2026%20at%2011.13%20AM.jpeg) --- #### Viewing Break Types - All active break types are listed in a table showing **Break Name**, **Length**, and **Payroll Status** (Paid or Unpaid). - If job costing is enabled, you may also see **Use Previous Job** and **Default Jobs** columns. ![Image 17-04-2026 at 11.13 AM (1)](https://help.jointimecloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Image%2017-04-2026%20at%2011.13%20AM%20(1).jpeg?width=670&height=175&name=Image%2017-04-2026%20at%2011.13%20AM%20(1).jpeg) --- #### Adding a Break Type 1. Click **Add Break Type**. 2. Enter the **Break Name** (e.g. "Lunch", "Rest Break"). 3. Enter the **Break Length (in minutes)** — must be greater than 0. 4. Choose the **Payroll Status**: **Paid** or **Unpaid**. 5. *(Optional)* If job costing is enabled: - Toggle **Use Jobs on this Break** on. - Toggle **Use Job from previous task** if the break should inherit the job from the previous clock-in. - Select default jobs for each job layer. 6. Click **Save**. ![Image 17-04-2026 at 11.14 AM](https://help.jointimecloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Image%2017-04-2026%20at%2011.14%20AM.jpeg?width=670&height=363&name=Image%2017-04-2026%20at%2011.14%20AM.jpeg) --- #### Editing a Break Type - Click the **edit** icon next to any break type. - Update the name, length, payroll status, or job settings. - Click **Save**. ![Image 17-04-2026 at 11.15 AM](https://help.jointimecloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Image%2017-04-2026%20at%2011.15%20AM.jpeg?width=670&height=363&name=Image%2017-04-2026%20at%2011.15%20AM.jpeg) --- #### Archiving and Restoring Break Types - Click the **archive** icon next to a break type to remove it from active use. - Archived types are hidden by default. Toggle **Show Archive** to see them. - Click **Unarchive** to restore an archived break type. ![Image 17-04-2026 at 11.15 AM (1)](https://help.jointimecloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Image%2017-04-2026%20at%2011.15%20AM%20(1).jpeg?width=670&height=170&name=Image%2017-04-2026%20at%2011.15%20AM%20(1).jpeg) --- #### Tips - Keep break names clear and descriptive — employees see these when selecting a break on the mobile app. - Use **Unpaid** for meal breaks and **Paid** for short rest breaks, depending on your local labour rules. - Archiving a break type does not delete historical records — past breaks still appear in timesheets and reports. - [Account & Security](https://help.jointimecloud.com/account-security?hsLang=en) - [Attendance & Timesheets](https://help.jointimecloud.com/attendance-timesheets?hsLang=en) - [Award Interpretation](https://help.jointimecloud.com/award-interpretation?hsLang=en) - [Biometric Scanners](https://help.jointimecloud.com/biometric-scanners?hsLang=en) - [Employees](https://help.jointimecloud.com/employees?hsLang=en) - [Forms & Checklists](https://help.jointimecloud.com/forms-checklists?hsLang=en) - [Geofencing](https://help.jointimecloud.com/geofencing?hsLang=en) - [Human Resources](https://help.jointimecloud.com/human-resources?hsLang=en) - [Integrations](https://help.jointimecloud.com/integrations?hsLang=en) - [Job Tracking](https://help.jointimecloud.com/job-tracking?hsLang=en) - [Leave Management](https://help.jointimecloud.com/leave-management?hsLang=en) - [Mobile App](https://help.jointimecloud.com/mobile-app?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Kiosk](https://help.jointimecloud.com/mobile-app?hsLang=en#kiosk) - [Payroll](https://help.jointimecloud.com/payroll?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Xero](https://help.jointimecloud.com/payroll?hsLang=en#xero) - [iPayroll](https://help.jointimecloud.com/payroll?hsLang=en#ipayroll) - [MYOB](https://help.jointimecloud.com/payroll?hsLang=en#myob) - [Smartly](https://help.jointimecloud.com/payroll?hsLang=en#smartly) - [Reporting](https://help.jointimecloud.com/reporting?hsLang=en) - [Roster](https://help.jointimecloud.com/roster?hsLang=en) - [Settings](https://help.jointimecloud.com/settings?hsLang=en) - [Shifts](https://help.jointimecloud.com/shifts?hsLang=en) - [Time Clock](https://help.jointimecloud.com/time-clock?hsLang=en) - [Dashboard](https://help.jointimecloud.com/dashboard?hsLang=en) Service Desk Copyright © 2025, Timecloud Ltd