Work Hours

Amended: 8/22/2023

Provided by: Department of Human Resources

Related Links and Resources: 

• Tufts Support Services Time Codes and Payroll Information
• Collective bargaining agreements   
• Postdoctoral Scholars Handbook  

This policy applies to all exempt staff, exempt limited term staff or any other exempt members of the Tufts community who are paid directly by Tufts University’s payroll department. 

The University’s core hours of business are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  However, there are some schools and organizations within Tufts four campuses that operate on different schedules over the seven-day week.  This policy identifies general guidelines about breaks and hours of work for hourly, non-exempt staff positions not otherwise covered by collective bargaining agreement.  

Work hours for each school and central division are determined by the current and future business needs of the unit.  Hours may vary and, in keeping with the university’s flexible work initiatives, may be reviewed, and amended for recruiting and retention of staff. 

The work week at Tufts for full time non-exempt staff varies based on the service/business needs of the unit and may be 35, 37.5 or 40 hours per week based on rules of the job classifications and unit.  Exempt employees frequently work beyond the confines of a 35-hour workweek, depending on the needs of their position.  The information below pertains specifically to non-exempt, or hourly, Tufts’ staff. 

All non-exempt or hourly workdays of six hours or more include a fifteen (15) minute rest break during the day for non-exempt staff, and one (1) hour for an unpaid meal break, unless otherwise required by applicable law.  If you are a non-exempt/hourly worker who, as an exception to the norm, wishes to work through a meal break (where permitted by applicable law) you must seek advance approval from your manager before doing so.  Managers may seek the assistance of the department’s Human Resources business partner.   

For payroll administration purposes and for determining weekly overtime for non-exempt staff, the work week is considered to begin on Sunday at 12:01 A.M. and end Saturday at midnight unless otherwise defined in writing and approved by Human Resources.