Lõunapausid

Lõunapausid are midday breaks occurring during the workday or school day in Estonia. The word combines lõuna meaning noon or midday and paus meaning pause. The concept denotes a scheduled interval around midday for rest and meals.

In the workplace, lõunapausid typically take place around midday and last roughly 30 to 60 minutes, though the exact length is determined by the employer, sector, and any applicable collective agreement or contract. Some industries or shifts may have shorter breaks or incorporate the break into a longer rest period.

In education, a similar concept exists as the lunch break between morning and afternoon sessions. The duration varies by school and age group, commonly around 30 to 60 minutes.

Legal and social context: Estonian labour law regulates rest periods during the workday; employers are required to provide a rest period after a certain amount of work, and the precise duration is set by law, collective agreements, or contracts. Lõunapausid are widely observed as a practical and social routine, with people eating at workplace canteens, nearby cafés, or at home. The rise of remote and flexible work has led to more varied timing, but the midday pause remains a typical feature of the workday in Estonia.