Thank you so much for the detailed answer. That is very interesting.It's not as formalised as that in my life, although it may be in some workplaces, especially if the workdays extend past 8 hours.
It's a 20-30 minute break for sustenance, both physical, emotional and psychological. A chat, a smoke, a beverage, a snack.
Assuming a 12 hour shift starting at 7, around 10.30 would be a good time for a break I'd have thought.
Afternoon tea is the same but it can be any time from 2-5. I once had a fancy tea at 2 and another time at 4.30. If I were scheduling an afternoon tea break for folks on a long shift, I'd suggest 4 providing people were going home at 6 or 7.
There's usually an hour's lunch break in the middle of the shift.
These things are usually specified in the bargaining agreement which binds both employer and employees. Bargaining agreements are signed off by industrial officials and are public record, not secret. Violations of bargaining agreements are bad news for both sides.
One of my friends is an industrial affairs magistrate and frequently uses his power to reinstate employees who have been unfairly dismissed or to order improved working conditions when bargaining agreements have not been respected or to fine recalcitrant employers or to settle bargaining disputes. In his worst cases he refers matters to the criminal court.
Bargaining agreements age out at three years (or longer if specified in the agreement itself - my conditions are specified in a 5 year agreement which is lapsing this year) and then a new bargaining round is commenced (the round at my workplace started last week). Usually each round consists of small changes but the arguing can go on for a long time. Sometimes parties do not bargain in good faith and then the dispute ends up at the tribunal.
Sorry for the industrial affairs lecture, I thought perhaps you were asking for professional reasons and that an ordinary person's understanding of how it all works might be informative.
Chicken tax!!
I was asking because it was in an Australian children's cartoon that Eve was watching and I had never heard of it. The dogs stopped and ate like it was a second breakfast of some sort. You all have never mentioned it and was curious.
Is this something that is done outside of work or is it only in the workplace?