We often get questions about what your rights really are when it comes to the working conditions set out in your agreement. The latest hot issue has been split shifts – so here’s the rundown!

According to your Agreement, a split shift (or a “broken shift” as your agreement calls it) is defined as “any shift worked in two periods where a continuous break in the 2 periods exceeds one hour.”

In plain English, that means if you work one shift, then have a break of more than one hour before you come back and start another shift (all on the same day), that’s a broken shift.

Your agreement also says there can’t be broken shifts outside the hours of 6am–10pm, and the break between the two shifts can’t be more than six hours (unless you, your employer and your union all agree).

If you’re still unsure about what counts as a broken shift or if you’ve got questions about any other parts of your agreement, you can get a copy of the agreement through your workplace or give HACSUassist a call on 1300 880 032 so we can send you a copy or answer any questions.