---
title: Add schedule breaks to a shift
description: After creating a work shift, you can add schedule breaks to the shift.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/employee-service-management/workforce-optimization-for-hr/add-break-shift-who-hr.html
release: australia
product: Workforce Optimization for HR
classification: workforce-optimization-for-hr
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [Create a work shift, Create a shift plan, Scheduling in Workforce Optimization for HR, Using Workforce Optimization for HR, Workforce Optimization overview, HR Service Delivery, Employee Service Management]
---

# Add schedule breaks to a shift

After creating a work shift, you can add schedule breaks to the shift.

## Before you begin

Role required: admin

Before adding schedule breaks to a shift, make sure to create a shift plan and a work shift. See, [Create a shift plan](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/employee-service-management/workforce-optimization-for-hr/create-shift-wfo-hr.md). Create a work shift, [Create a work shift](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/employee-service-management/workforce-optimization-for-hr/create-work-shift-wfo-hr.md).

## Procedure

1.  Select the shift that you created.

2.  Click **Add break**.

3.  In the **Name** field, enter a name for the break.

4.  Set a duration for the break.

    -   In the **Duration** field, enter the length of time for the break.
    -   In the **Earliest Start time** field, enter the earliest time to start the break.
    -   In the **Latest End time** field, enter the latest time to end the break.

        For example, you can set the earliest start time as 11:00, the latest end time as 15:00, and the duration of the break as one hour. If you add four agents to the work shift, the Scheduling application automatically staggers the break duration for each agent. Stagger breaks to ensure that four of your agents can cover the entire shift span.

5.  Click **Save**.


**Parent Topic:**[Create a work shift](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/employee-service-management/workforce-optimization-for-hr/create-work-shift-wfo-hr.md)