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Question: How many breaks at work are required by law?

Answer: State Laws usually mandate when employers must give you "rest periods" or breaks. How much and when depends mostly on the discretion of the employer, but there are some legal protections.

There is no federal law that gives you meal or rest breaks. However, states sometimes have labor laws which mandate time off for meals (like a lunch break) or for a rest break (perhaps a mid-afternoon break). Further, labor unions oftentimes have specific contracts that explicitly mandate time for breaks. Whether or not you can get paid during breaks depends on your employer and on the same state labor laws.


Comments
46 thru 50 of 92 comments
On 04/26/04
bill from FL said:
What is Florida's law on work breaks each day?
On 04/21/04
Terri from MI said:
I work 8 hour days. sometimes I do work 20 hours without a break is this legal
On 04/17/04
judy from AL said:
I recently started a new job. I live in Alabama. What are the laws concerning breaks if you work 4 hours and what are they if you work 8 hours ?
On 04/07/04
myranda from OH said:
I work for Target and work 12 hrs. I get one 15 minute break and a 25 minute lunch. Is this leagal? What is the law in Ohio?
On 04/04/04
kelley,joe from AZ said:
i work 12hour shifts and i only get 3 ten minute breakes is this legal
46 thru 50 of 92 comments



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