> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.visualcare.com.au/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Rostering paid and unpaid breaks

When you add a break to a shift in the roster, it shows on the worker's shift screen in the vWorker app. The worker can see how long their break is and whether it is paid.

Use the table below to choose the right set-up for the shift.

| How the break is set up | Worker paid for the break | Client charged for the break |
| - | - | - |
| [Unpaid break](#unpaid-break) | No | Depends on your **Charge Client for Unpaid Break Time** setting |
| [Paid break](#paid-break) | Yes | No |
| [Shift note only](#pay-the-worker-and-charge-the-client-for-a-break) | Yes | Yes |

## Unpaid break

Use an unpaid break when the worker is not paid for the break time.

**1. Open the shift**

Open the shift in the roster.

**2. Turn on the unpaid break**

Tick **Shift has unpaid break**.

**3. Enter the break details**

Enter the **Unpaid Break Start** time and the **Unpaid Break Duration** in minutes.

**4. Save the shift**

Save the shift. The break now shows on the worker's shift in the vWorker app.

![Roster Unpaid Break](https://mintcdn.com/visualcare/ohw7RVhVFcolS7f5/images/roster-unpaid-break.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=ohw7RVhVFcolS7f5\&q=85\&s=cafe74c929afca9b17a8e903185ba551)

Unpaid break fields on the shift in the roster

### What the worker sees

The worker sees how long the break is and what time to take it.

![App Unpaid Break](https://mintcdn.com/visualcare/aYcF8Uvb4zXqmCRz/images/app-unpaid-break.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aYcF8Uvb4zXqmCRz\&q=85\&s=0ad13c9c8e318896de0982d0bf4ccfc0)

Unpaid break on the shift screen in the vWorker app

### Charging the client for unpaid break time

The worker is not paid for an unpaid break. Whether the client is charged for the break time depends on the **Charge Client for Unpaid Break Time** setting in **Data Export**.

* **Yes:** the client is charged for the full shift, including the break.
* **No:** the client is not charged for the break time.

![Charge Client Unpaid Break Setting](https://mintcdn.com/visualcare/h9ApwZ5Oin2cA199/images/charge-client-unpaid-break-setting.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=h9ApwZ5Oin2cA199\&q=85\&s=baf39c856c0bf452547b5c31eadc17ce)

Charge Client for Unpaid Break Time setting in Data Export

> [!NOTE]
>
> This setting applies to all unpaid breaks across your account, not to individual shifts.

## Paid break

Use a paid break when the worker is paid for the break time.

**1. Open the shift**

Open the shift in the roster. Leave **Shift has unpaid break** unticked.

**2. Enter the break length**

Enter the break length in minutes in **Paid Break Duration**.

**3. Save the shift**

Save the shift. The break now shows on the worker's shift in the vWorker app.

![Roster Paid Break](https://mintcdn.com/visualcare/ohw7RVhVFcolS7f5/images/roster-paid-break.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=ohw7RVhVFcolS7f5\&q=85\&s=fd7491e7947e1f5af19b5b8aa9b3bb15)

Paid Break Duration field on the shift in the roster

### What the worker sees

The worker sees how long their paid break is. No set break time is shown.

![App Paid Break](https://mintcdn.com/visualcare/aYcF8Uvb4zXqmCRz/images/app-paid-break.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aYcF8Uvb4zXqmCRz\&q=85\&s=7fb994cf8db70c760e97a49da26117d7)

Paid break on the shift screen in the vWorker app

> [!WARNING]
>
> The worker is paid for a paid break, but the client is **not** charged for the paid break time.

## Pay the worker and charge the client for a break

If you want to pay the worker for the break and charge the client for it, don't use either break field.

**1. Leave both break fields empty**

Open the shift in the roster. Leave **Shift has unpaid break** unticked and **Paid Break Duration** blank.

**2. Add a note for the worker**

In **Notes - this flows through to app**, add a note letting the worker know they have a break during the shift. For example: *You have a 15 minute paid break during this shift.*

**3. Save the shift**

Save the shift. The worker is paid for the full shift and the client is charged for the full shift.

> [!TIP]
>
> Notes entered in **Notes - private** don't show in the vWorker app. Use **Notes - this flows through to app** so the worker can see the break note.