Meal and rest breaks · Manitoba
Manitoba meal and rest break rules.
How long a break Manitoba employees must get and how soon in a shift. Enter your shift length to see how many breaks are required.
Manitoba: employees must be given a 30-minute unpaid break after every five consecutive hours of work.
Your situation
Breaks required on your shift
Enter your shift length and press Calculate.
Manitoba: meal and rest breaks rules in detail
| Point | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Break | 30 minutes after every 5 consecutive hours of work |
| Paid? | Unpaid; employers are not required to pay for breaks but may |
| Coffee or other breaks | Not required |
Notes on this rule
Employers must apply to Employment Standards for any change to the break requirement. Union workplaces may have different provisions.
How to use this page
Enter the hours you work in one shift, not counting unpaid breaks. The calculator applies the rule above to give the number of breaks required and the total minutes. It does not model collective agreements, exemptions or emergencies.
Sources, read directly 19 October 2026: Manitoba Employment Standards - Hours and breaks fact sheet.
Frequently asked questions
How many breaks does a Manitoba employee get in a shift?
Manitoba: employees must be given a 30-minute unpaid break after every five consecutive hours of work.
Is the break paid?
Unpaid; employers are not required to pay for breaks but may
Do coffee or short rest breaks have to be given?
No. Manitoba says extra coffee or other breaks are a benefit but are not required.
When can an employer skip the break?
Employers must apply to Employment Standards for any change to the break requirement. Union workplaces may have different provisions.
Can an employer or a contract give more than this?
Yes. These are statutory minimums. An employment contract, workplace policy or collective agreement can give more, but not less. Union members should check their collective agreement as well.
Where does this Manitoba information come from?
Every figure on this page was read on 19 October 2026 from: Manitoba Employment Standards - Hours and breaks fact sheet. The links are listed under the rules table above. If a source changes, this page is regenerated from one data file and the verified date is updated.
Reference only — not legal advice
This page states the statutory meal and rest break entitlement from the published employment-standards legislation or the government’s own guide, read on 19 October 2026. It is not legal advice, does not model a collective agreement or an individual contract, and rules change. For a binding answer, contact the employment standards office named in the source or a lawyer.