A “work schedule” divided between two “workdays” may not be a “Split-Shift” according to the Court of Appeals

The California Court of Appeals ruled, on July 7, 2011, that the definition of “workday” is not necessarily related to the definition of “work schedule.” A work schedule means a designated period of work, while a workday is any consecutive 24-hour period beginning at the same time each calendar day. The Court noted that a “split shift” happens when a “work schedule” in interrupted by a non-paid non-working period established by the employer, other than a rest or meal period. For that reason, the Court held that an overnight shift what overlaps a workday is not a split-shift because the shift is continuous and is not interrupted by a non-working break established by the employer. See: Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. v. Superior Court.