When you are in a training class, what do you think your breaks are for?

I love my job and I really like my boss a lot. There are a couple of areas where I don’t agree with her, though nothing worth getting into a snit about.

One area where we don’t agree is what trainees should do during breaks. In my classes, we usually take one break in the morning and one in the afternoon. These breaks are 10 to 15 minutes long, often depending on whether I need to get something done during that time. There is also a 45 minute lunch break.

She thinks that once bathroom use and coffee refills have been handled, they should be studying. I think that this is their time to use as they see fit. Answer text messages, check email, return phone calls, smoke a cigarette, meditate or study the class material – I don’t care as long as they’re back on time.

Based on the conversation that she and I had during my review, I have started telling my classes that this is their break time and that one thing I suggest is to study the class information, if they want to.

I’m wondering what you use your break time for when you go to a class or workshop. I have no conflict with my boss. I’m truly just wondering what all of you do.