Unsure if it’s essential to supply or pay for worker breaks? If you happen to don’t know your state’s legal guidelines, it might value you. We’ve gathered all of the meal and relaxation break guidelines by state, so that you don’t should.
Similar to state birds and license plates, break legal guidelines change from coast to coast.
Whether or not you’re operating a small enterprise or managing a big workforce, understanding your state’s meal and relaxation break guidelines is essential.
On this information, we simplify what’s required, state by state, so you possibly can keep compliant and keep away from authorized bother.
Why Do Breaks Matter?
Break insurance policies may appear to be small particulars, however they’ll turn out to be authorized issues for those who don’t deal with them appropriately. One missed relaxation break or an unpaid working lunch can result in fines, lawsuits, or a success to your organization’s fame.
Compliance isn’t only a authorized checkbox; it’s a key a part of accountable workforce administration. Whereas it could appear simpler to use a one-size-fits-all break coverage, labor legal guidelines fluctuate considerably by state and are topic to vary. Employers are anticipated to remain knowledgeable and updated.
Past danger administration, providing paid meal and relaxation breaks can positively affect your workforce and your operations, together with:
- Decrease stress ranges
- Elevated productiveness
- Decreased absenteeism
- Larger worker satisfaction and retention
Offering structured, paid breaks is a authorized safeguard, however it’s additionally a sensible funding in your workforce.
Federal Break Regulation Overview
Earlier than we dive into state-specific legal guidelines, it’s necessary to know what federal legislation truly requires. Many employers assume there’s a common rule round break instances, however in actuality, the Honest Labor Requirements Act (FLSA) doesn’t mandate that employers present breaks in any respect.
That stated, for those who do supply breaks, federal legislation units clear pointers on how they need to be dealt with and compensated. Whether or not it’s a 10-minute espresso break or a “working” lunch, how that point is handled below the legislation issues.
Understanding the federal baseline is essential. It helps you keep away from frequent compliance errors and ensures you’re not unintentionally underpaying staff for time they’re legally owed.
Right here’s what federal legislation does and doesn’t say about breaks, below the Honest Labor Requirements Act (FLSA):
- Meal breaks (normally 30+ minutes) don’t should be provided, but when an worker works via lunch, you need to pay them.
- Brief breaks (5–20 minutes) are thought-about a part of the workday and should be paid.
- Unpaid meal breaks are solely allowed if the worker is totally off-duty and doesn’t carry out any work-related job.
- Breaks for nursing moms are required below particular situations, together with time and house for pumping.
So whereas federal legislation doesn’t require employers to supply breaks, it does set clear guidelines for a way these breaks should be dealt with for those who do supply it.
Utilizing break administration software program like Connecteam can assist you routinely monitor worker hours, together with breaks, for correct reporting and simpler payroll. It saves time, reduces errors, and takes the guesswork out of compliance.
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Break Compliance Legal guidelines By State
Right here’s a state-by-state breakdown of meal and relaxation break legal guidelines that will help you keep compliant wherever your workforce works.
Want the highlights? Use our software under to discover your state’s break legal guidelines.
Alabama
Meal Breaks: Not required below state legislation.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required below state legislation.
Learn our full information on Alabama state labor legal guidelines.
Alaska
Meal Breaks: Required just for minors (14–17): 30-minute break after 5 consecutive hours.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required for adults.
Further Notes: Breaks of 20 minutes or much less should be paid. Unpaid meal durations over 20 minutes are allowed provided that the worker doesn’t carry out work. Nursing break protections are coated below federal legislation.
Learn our full information on Alaska state labor legal guidelines.
Arizona
Meal Breaks: Not required below state legislation.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required, but when supplied (e.g., two 10-minute breaks), they should be paid.
Further Notes: Meal breaks should be non-working to be unpaid.
Learn our full information on Arizona state labor legal guidelines.
Arkansas
Meal Breaks: Not required below state legislation.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
California
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid break after 5 hours. A second 30-minute break is required after 10 hours, except waived.
Relaxation Breaks: Required: 10 minutes of paid relaxation for each 4 hours labored or near that point.
Further Notes: On-duty meal durations are solely allowed below strict situations with a written settlement. California additionally mandates “cool-down” restoration durations to stop warmth sickness.
Learn our full information on California state labor legal guidelines.
Colorado
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid break if a shift exceeds 5 consecutive hours.
Relaxation Breaks: Required: Paid 10-minute break for each 4 hours labored.
Further Notes: Applies solely to sure industries (e.g., retail, meals service, healthcare). Many roles are exempt, together with professionals, drivers, and family employees.
Learn our full information on Colorado state labor legal guidelines.
Connecticut
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid break for workers working 7.5+ consecutive hours.
Relaxation Breaks: Elective, but when relaxation breaks are paid and supplied, a meal break will not be required.
Further Notes: Meal break should be scheduled after the primary 2 hours and earlier than the final 2 hours of a shift.
Delaware
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid break for workers working 7.5+ consecutive hours.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Break should be supplied between the 2nd and final 2 hours of the shift.
District of Columbia (D.C.)
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Florida
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Learn our full information on Florida state labor legal guidelines.
Georgia
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Learn our full information on Georgia state labor legal guidelines.
Hawaii
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Idaho
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Illinois
Meal Breaks: Required: 20-minute unpaid meal break for workers working 7.5+ steady hours. Should start no later than 5 hours into the shift.
Relaxation Breaks: Required just for lodge room cleaners: two paid 15-minute breaks for shifts of seven+ hours.
Further Notes: Workers should be given an acceptable break space and can’t be required to work throughout breaks.
Learn our full information on Illinois state labor legal guidelines.
Indiana
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Learn our full information on Indiana state labor legal guidelines.
Iowa
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Kansas
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: If a meal break is lower than half-hour, it should be paid.
Kentucky
Meal Breaks: Required: A “affordable” unpaid break should be supplied between the third and fifth hour of labor.
Relaxation Breaks: Required: One paid 10-minute break per 4 hours labored.
Further Notes: Employers should present lodging for pregnant or nursing staff except it’s too tough for the employer.
Learn our full information on Kentucky state labor legal guidelines.
Louisiana
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Maine
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid meal break after 6 consecutive hours.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Employers with 3 or fewer staff on responsibility are exempt if frequent breaks are doable.
Maryland
Meal Breaks: Required:
- quarter-hour for shifts of 4–6 hours
- half-hour for shifts over 6 hours
- Further quarter-hour for each 4 hours labored past 8
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Breaks could also be unpaid except work is carried out throughout them.
Massachusetts
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute break (paid or unpaid) for shifts over 6 hours.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Exemptions apply to sure industrial jobs (e.g., iron works, print works).
Learn our full information on Massachusetts state labor legal guidelines.
Michigan
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Learn our full information on Michigan state labor legal guidelines.
Minnesota
Meal Breaks: Required: “Adequate” unpaid meal break for workers working 8+ consecutive hours.
Relaxation Breaks: Required: Paid “satisfactory” relaxation interval each 4 hours, primarily for restroom use.
Further Notes: Relaxation durations below 20 minutes should be paid. Some seasonal and agricultural employees are exempt.
Learn our full information on Minnesota state labor legal guidelines.
Mississippi
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Missouri
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Learn our full information on Missouri state labor legal guidelines.
Montana
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Nebraska
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid meal break for 8-hour shifts in meeting crops, workshops, or mechanical institutions.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Requirement applies solely to particular industries.
Nevada
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid break after 8 steady hours (for companies with 2+ staff).
Relaxation Breaks: Required: Paid 10-minute relaxation interval for each 4 hours labored (not required for shifts below 3.5 hours).
Further Notes: Doesn’t apply to staff coated by collective bargaining agreements.
Learn our full information on Nevada state labor legal guidelines.
New Hampshire
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid break after 5 consecutive hours, except the worker can eat whereas working and is allowed to take action.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Breaks would not have to be paid except work is carried out throughout them.
New Jersey
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
New Mexico
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
New York
Meal Breaks: Required:
- Manufacturing unit employees: 1-hour break between 11 a.m. and a couple of p.m.
- Different employees: 30-minute break throughout comparable hours.
- Lengthy or in a single day shifts could require further breaks.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Break size and timing rely on trade and shift construction. Some staff are entitled to a number of breaks relying on shift period.
Learn our full information on New York state labor legal guidelines.
North Carolina
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Learn our full information on North Carolina state labor legal guidelines.
North Dakota
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid break for shifts over 5 hours—provided that there are two or extra staff on responsibility.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Meal breaks should be duty-free to be unpaid.
Ohio
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Learn our full information on Ohio state labor legal guidelines.
Oklahoma
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Oregon
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid break for work durations of 6–8 hours, timing is determined by shift size.
Relaxation Breaks: Required: Paid 10-minute relaxation break for each 4-hour phase labored.
Further Notes: Breaks should be close to the center of the work interval. Some flexibility allowed primarily based on trade customized or nature of labor.
Learn our full information on Oregon state labor legal guidelines.
Pennsylvania
Meal Breaks: Required just for seasonal farmworkers: 30-minute unpaid break after 5 hours.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Most different industries haven’t any state-specific necessities.
Rhode Island
Meal Breaks: Required:
- 20 minutes for 6-hour shifts
- half-hour for 8-hour shifts
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Applies solely to companies with 5+ staff on a shift; not required if fewer than 3 workers are working.
South Carolina
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
South Dakota
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Tennessee
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid break for workers scheduled to work 6+ consecutive hours.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Meal break can’t be inside the first hour of labor.
Learn our full information on Tennessee state labor legal guidelines.
Texas
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Learn our full information on Texas state labor legal guidelines.
Utah
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Learn our full information on Utah state labor legal guidelines.
Vermont
Meal Breaks: Required: “Cheap alternatives” for meals.
Relaxation Breaks: Not explicitly required.
Further Notes: Regulation is obscure, however employers should guarantee well being and hygiene wants are met. Federal legislation serves because the default normal.
Virginia
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Learn our full information on Virginia state labor legal guidelines.
Washington
Meal Breaks: Required: 30-minute unpaid meal break for shifts over 5 hours. Further meal break required for additional time of three+ hours.
Relaxation Breaks: Required: Paid 10-minute break for each 4-hour work interval.
Further Notes: Can not work greater than 3 hours with no relaxation break. Many exemptions apply.
Learn our full information on Washington state labor legal guidelines.
West Virginia
Meal Breaks: Required: 20-minute break for each 6 consecutive hours, except the worker is allowed to eat as wanted.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: Supper time should be paid if work is carried out throughout the break.
Wisconsin
Meal Breaks: Not required, however a 30-minute break is advisable.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Further Notes: The state encourages breaks throughout longer shifts, although not mandated.
Learn our full information on Wisconsin state labor legal guidelines.
Wyoming
Meal Breaks: Not required.
Relaxation Breaks: Not required.
Tricks to Keep Compliant
Break compliance doesn’t should be difficult. Right here is our recommendation to get it proper:
Know your state’s guidelines
Meal and relaxation break legal guidelines fluctuate by state, they usually can change. Make it a behavior to test your state’s labor division web site or the division of labor website to remain up to date.
Observe breaks precisely
Use worker time monitoring software program to log when breaks are taken and the way lengthy they final. It’s one of many best methods to remain compliant and audit-ready.
Practice your managers
Supervisors must know the break guidelines. Educate them to acknowledge frequent points, like staff working via unpaid breaks or skipping them altogether.
Put it in writing
Be sure your organization’s break insurance policies are clearly specified by your worker handbook. Be sure new hires be taught this data throughout onboarding and revisit it throughout supervisor coaching.
Pay what’s required
If an worker works throughout a break, or takes a brief break below 20 minutes, that point should be paid. No exceptions.
Use the correct instruments
Handbook monitoring results in errors. Digital instruments like Connecteam can automate reminders, monitor time precisely, and generate timesheets for payroll and reporting.
The Backside Line
Not each state requires employers to supply meal or relaxation breaks, however federal legislation nonetheless units necessary requirements, particularly round paid break time and work carried out throughout meals. Ignoring these guidelines can result in compliance points and payroll errors.
Even in states the place breaks aren’t required, providing them is a brilliant transfer. Each paid and unpaid breaks can enhance worker well-being, scale back stress, decrease absenteeism, and assist total productiveness.
Connecteam helps you keep on high of worker hours and breaks. Strive it out now without cost!
FAQs
Are there OSHA laws relating to lunch and breaks?
No, OSHA doesn’t regulate lunch or relaxation breaks. OSHA covers security, not scheduling. Break guidelines fall below the Honest Labor Requirements Act, which doesn’t require breaks however does say brief breaks (normally 5–20 minutes) should be paid if given.
What’s Minnesota’s legislation for worker breaks?
Minnesota requires a “ample” unpaid meal break for workers working 8+ hours and paid restroom breaks each 4 hours. Breaks below 20 minutes should be paid. Sure employees, like seasonal or agricultural staff, could also be exempt.
What’s Indiana state legislation on breaks?
Indiana legislation doesn’t require breaks for grownup staff. Employers should comply with federal guidelines, which means brief breaks should be paid if provided. Minors below 18 should obtain a 30-minute break if working 6 or extra consecutive hours.
