Everything You Should Know About Lunch Breaks During Working Hours

Labor and employment attorney Jimena Nieto was interviewed by Asuntos Legales about the regulation of lunch breaks during working hours in Colombia. Ms. Nieto explained that the Substantive Labor Code establishes the need to allow a break during the workday, which can be used for lunch, dinner or even breakfast, depending on when the employee's shift begins. She also highlighted that this break time is not counted as part of the workday and, consequently, should not be compensated by the employer as additional work.

"If the employer's practice is not to grant this break, the employee can claim it and demand its granting, scheduling and inclusion in the work regulations," she said.

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