> Scope: this guide describes the French regulatory framework. Thresholds differ by country, and the gap is wide. In the United States there is no federal meal or rest break requirement at all, several states set their own, and overtime starts beyond 40 hours in a workweek: see break laws in the US and overtime pay and the 40-hour rule. In the United Kingdom, the Working Time Regulations provide for a 20 minute break once more than 6 hours are worked and 11 hours of rest between working days: see UK rest breaks. Check the rule that applies where you operate.

Mistake 1: not tracking breaks

French labor law requires a 20-minute break for every 6 consecutive hours worked. Yet in many stores, breaks are neither recorded nor verified.

The risk is twofold: legal non-compliance and hours paid without actual work. A digital time tracking system automatically records break start and end times.

Mistake 2: calculating overtime manually

Overtime calculation is complex: 25% premium for the first 8 hours, 50% beyond that. Doing this in Excel every month leads to errors and disputes.

With software like Squadra Planning, overtime is calculated automatically from actual clock-in data. The manager just needs to validate.

Mistake 3: no digital trail

In the event of a labor inspection, you must be able to present a precise history of hours worked. Paper schedules and handwritten timesheets are no longer accepted as reliable evidence.

A digital system automatically archives every clock-in with timestamp, IP address and optionally a photo. This is legal protection for both employer and employee.

Mistake 4: ignoring travel time between sites

For multi-site retailers, travel between stores must be counted as working time. This is a legal obligation often ignored that can prove costly in disputes.

Squadra Planning's multi-site management tracks assignments across different stores and integrates travel time into hours calculations.

Mistake 5: not having schedules signed

The schedule is a contractual document. Without manager and employee signatures, it has no legal value in case of dispute. Squadra Planning includes an electronic signature feature with timestamp and IP logging.

Key takeaways

Systematically track and record breaks
Automate overtime calculation to avoid errors
Keep a digital trail of every clock-in with timestamp
Include travel time between sites in hours calculation
Have schedules signed by managers and employees

Check our pricing and discover how Squadra Planning automates all of this for $29 per month.

5 mistakes that hurt time management in retail