Free Tool

Shift Break & Spread-Over Compliance Checker

Check a single shift against the Employment Act 1955's baseline limits (Section 60A(1)): a maximum 10-hour spread-over including breaks, and no more than 5 consecutive hours without at least a 30-minute break. See the full Overtime Rules guide for the detail.

Shift start

Shift end

Break start

Break length (minutes)

Only breaks of 30 minutes or more count toward resetting the 5-consecutive-hour limit. Shifts ending after midnight are handled automatically.

Total spread-over (start to end)13.0 hrs

Actual hours worked (spread minus break)12.5 hrs

Longest stretch without a qualifying break7.5 hrs

Exceeds the 10-hour spread-over limit — the whole excess stretch counts as overtime, not just hours past 8.

A stretch of more than 5 consecutive hours without a 30-minute break — add or reposition a break.

4.5 hrs of this shift is beyond the normal 8-hour day and would count as overtime.

General information, not legal advice — checks one baseline rule (Section 60A(1)), not the full Act. Confirm specifics with JTKSM or a payroll advisor.

Never schedule a non-compliant shift again.

ShiftMate flags spread-over and break issues automatically as you build the roster.

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