---
sourceDocument: Brazil Field Service Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/field-service-management

 Release :

    - brazil

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Brazil Field Service Management

ft:clusterId :

    - fsm

bundleId :

    - fsm

workflow :

    - Customer and Industry


---

# Embedded breaks and lunches

# Embedded breaks and lunches {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Brazil  
Updated September 10, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 4 minutes to read  
A break or lunch can be embedded directly within a work order task, so a technician doesn't have to leave the task to take scheduled time away.

## How embedded breaks and lunches work {#embedded-breaks-and-lunches__section_how_embedded_breaks_and_lunches_work}

Whether a break's status updates automatically depends on the Auto-status breaks setting. When it's on, a break automatically transitions to taken at its scheduled start time and to completed at its scheduled end time, without technician action. When it's off, the technician manually takes the break. Either way, the work order task pauses while the break is in progress and resumes once the break is complete. The task's estimated end time adjusts to account for the time away. Each break is recorded
in the Work Notes of the work order task, so managers and technicians have a record of when breaks were taken. Breaks on a work order task can't overlap; each break must have a distinct time window.

Scheduling a work order task over an agent's planned break automatically adjusts the task to accommodate the break, embedding it into the task as long as the break starts at or after the task start time and falls within the task duration. A break that has already started is not embedded. Lunch breaks are indicated on the calendar with a fork and knife icon. If more than one break is scheduled during a task, a fraction on the break indicator shows the number of breaks taken versus scheduled (for example, 1/2). Technicians must mark their breaks as taken; if a technician misses a scheduled break, an X shows on the break indicator.

The work order task form shows a Break Embedded checkbox that indicates whether the task currently has an embedded break. This field is read-only and updates automatically as breaks are added or removed.

## Embedded break configurations {#embedded-breaks-and-lunches__section_embedded_break_configurations}

Administrators have the option to further configure embedded breaks. They can turn off automatic breaks so technicians take breaks manually instead. They can also change how many minutes before a break's start time the reminder notification is sent, instead of the default 15 minutes. They can also let technicians end a break early from the mobile agent app instead of waiting for it to end automatically. They can also configure a buffer around each break's window, giving a technician flexibility to start a break early or late without falling outside the allowed range.

* `sn_fsm_shift_schdl.enable_embed_break_in_wot` --- Enables or disables break embedding within work order tasks globally.
* `sn_fsm_shift_schdl.wfo.break.auto_status` --- When enabled, a break's status updates automatically once its scheduled end time passes, so technicians don't have to manually mark the break as taken.
* `sn_fsm_shift_schdl.wfo.break.reminder_minutes` --- Sets how many minutes before a break's scheduled start time the system sends a reminder.
* `sn_fsm_shift_schdl.wfo.break.end_early_enabled` --- When enabled (and Auto-status breaks is off), technicians can end a break early from the mobile agent app instead of waiting for it to end automatically. If Auto-status breaks is on, this property is ignored.
* `sn_fsm_shift_schdl.break_buffer_enabled` --- Enables or disables a pre/post buffer around break windows, letting a break start outside the scheduled window within the buffered range.
* `sn_fsm_shift_schdl.break_buffer_minutes` --- Sets the global fallback buffer, in minutes, applied on each side of a break window when a technician has no buffer value set on their own Resource Schedule Attribute record.
{#embedded-breaks-and-lunches__ul_rpv_1jk_jkc}

You can also set the buffer for an individual technician using the Pre-break buffer and Post-break buffer fields on their Resource Schedule Attributes record. These values override the global buffer set in
sn_fsm_shift_schdl.break_buffer_minutes.

For details, see [Properties installed with Field Service Management](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/sMERm9hoTnnj~ScL9yrg9A "System properties provided with the Field Service Management application.").

## Schedule-locked tasks {#embedded-breaks-and-lunches__section_schedule_locked_tasks}

A schedule-locked work order task has a fixed start and end time that can't shift to accommodate a break. As a result, you can't add a break to a task that's schedule locked. You also can't delete a break that's already embedded in a task once it's locked.

## Related tasks {#embedded-breaks-and-lunches__section_related_tasks_embedded_breaks_and_lunches}

* [Add a break to a shift](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/viytK4IGzDPIZfqR9SF8nA "Add a break to a shift to give technicians scheduled rest time within their shift, without leaving the schedule view.")

  Schedule a break for a technician so their availability reflects real-time off during a shift.
* [Edit or delete a break](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/ugKkZo4mcbzcgdb~5d7vsg "Edit or delete a break to keep a shift's schedule accurate as break needs change, without recreating the shift.")

  Adjust a break's timing or remove it entirely when a technician's schedule changes.
* [Edit or delete a break from the CSP in Workforce](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/NJGYezKCdGOfaFDKlwcq3Q "Edit or delete a break from the contextual side panel in Workforce so you don't have to navigate out of the calendar.")

  Make the same update without leaving the calendar, so you can manage a technician's schedule faster.
* [Check a break in Dispatcher Workspace](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/yEMfE5OJk8zdOON0wmV4FQ "Check whether a break on a work order task has been taken or is still planned, without leaving Dispatcher Workspace.")

  See whether a technician's break is planned or already taken before you assign or reschedule work.
* [Check on a break](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/A3y42yWl9f0kdaOwcq0MbA "Check on a scheduled or upcoming break in the ServiceNow Agent application to see whether it's still planned or has already been taken.")

  Confirm your own break status from the field so you know when you're expected back on task.
* [Check a break in Manager Mobile](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/rOChHAd~1FiYkhqsAARYdA "Check whether a break on a work order task has been taken or is still planned in Field Service Manager Mobile.")

  Check a technician's break status on the go, without needing to be at a desk.
* [Take a break manually in the mobile agent app](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/JQOLziY6qT2KtgL~B4rg5A "Manually record a break in the ServiceNow Agent application when your organization's Auto-status breaks setting is off.")

  Manually record a break when Auto-status breaks is turned off.
* [Configure event colors](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/io8cowkmqoOuub_63NntSw "Change the border and background color of an event so it matches your company's colors or stands out on the team calendar.")

  Administrators can set border and background colors so breaks and other events stand out clearly on the calendar.
{#embedded-breaks-and-lunches__ul_related_tasks_embedded_breaks_and_lunches}