How to Configure and Use Breaks

Last Updated: August 13, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Is the Breaks Feature?

 

The Breaks feature allows tracking of time spent on breaks without pausing the Time Doctor app. Breaks can be:

• Paid (included in hours worked) or Unpaid
• Assigned to all users, specific groups, or individual users
• Limited in duration or left uncapped (up to six hours)
  
  

Breaks do not capture activities such as screenshots or web/app usage. When break limits are enabled in the Settings / Company Settings page, break duration is controlled via How long should this break be? setting (10 minutes–4 hours). If disabled, breaks default to a six-hour maximum.

 

Who Can Take Breaks?

 

Only users on the interactive version of the desktop app can take breaks. At least one break must be assigned to them in order for it to appear on their app.

 

How to Configure Breaks

1. Navigate to the Settings / Breaks page.
2. Click Add Break.
3. Enter a name for the break.
4. Set the break type:
   
   • Paid – Included in reports as hours worked
   • Unpaid – Excluded from hours worked totals
5. Choose a time limit under How long should this break be?
   • Options range from 10 minutes to 4 hours
   • The app auto-stops break tracking after this interval
     
     
     
     
6. Assign the break to:
   • Everyone in the company
   • Specific groups
   • Specific users
7. (Optional) Disable break limits in Settings / Company Settings page. This sets all breaks (new and existing) to a six-hour max by default.
   
   
   
   

How to Use Breaks

1. Select a break from the list in the desktop app instead of pausing the timer.

   Taking Paid Break
   
   
   
   Taking Unpaid Break
   
   
   
   
   
2. When break limits are enabled:
   • The timer counts down from the configured limit to 00:00
   • The app then enters a paused state until the user resumes tracking
   
   
   
   
   
3. When break limits are disabled:
   • The timer counts up from 00:00
   • Tracking ends when manually paused or after six hours
   
   
   
   
   
4. To disable a break, archive it. Archived breaks no longer appear on users' desktop apps.
   
   
   
   

Where Breaks Appear in Reports

 

Activity Summary Report

• Break time is shown in grey

• Paid breaks display a percentage

• Unpaid breaks show only the time spent

  

 

Timeline Report

• Both break types appear in grey
• Unpaid breaks include:
  • A crossed-out $ icon
  • An empty circle icon
• If a user starts/ends a shift with an unpaid break, it is excluded from Time Started and Finished stats

 

 

 

Hours Tracked Report

• Total tracked break time (paid + unpaid) appears in grey

 

 

User Dashboard

• Shows the total time spent on breaks.

 

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FAQ

 

Are breaks included in the total time tracked?
Yes. Paid Breaks are included in the total time tracked that is shown in reports. They are also included in the total time on the Payroll page. However, Unpaid breaks are not included in the reports and payroll.

 

Is there a limit to the number of breaks that can be created?
No. The number of breaks that can be created and assigned to specific users or groups within a company is unlimited. However, it is recommended to keep a short list of breaks to avoid confusion for the employees.

 

What happens if a user pauses tracking instead of selecting a break?
The time counts as non-working time and does not count towards the time spent on breaks. It is displayed as gaps between periods of tracked time in the Timeline report. 

 

Can breaks be configured for specific times of day?
No. This feature is currently not available.

 

Is there a daily limit for total break time?
No. There is no limit to the number of total breaks one can take in a day.

 

Can this feature be used with automatic apps?
No. The Automatic Apps have no user interface that will allow users to track breaks.

Why don’t I see the break limit setting?
The feature may be disabled from the Company Settings page. If the Use Break limits toggle is already enabled from the Company Settings, and the option to set How long should this break be?

 

 

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Should there be any inconsistencies or concerns regarding the article, contact support@timedoctor.com for prompt assistance.