Speak Up! - View Question #187
« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #187

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
16 thru 20 of 92 comments
On 06/20/07
stacey from Othr said:
i worked today for 9 hours and had just a 15 min break is this wrong???????
On 06/06/07
pantri from MS said:
I work at a hotel for eight hours a day no breaks or lunch breaks are given is this legal
On 06/04/07
Sarah from TX said:
For all who need to know, there is a federal rule that states you must be givin a minimum of 30 minutes for a lunch break if you work more than 5 consecutive hours or allowed to eat with pay if no set break can be allowed. Verify at tx labor department website.
On 07/21/06
Sarah from Othr said:
I worked anywhere from 5 - 7 and a half hours and day with no breaks and I'm entitled to 30 minute break every 5 hours should I complain and where is the proof to every 5 hour break
On 05/30/06
Joe from PA said:
I was wondering if there is a law allowing a minor who is 16 and works for 8 hours at a public pool, a mandatory 30 minute lunch period?
16 thru 20 of 92 comments


Read more about the law and
Related Stories
Related Laws
    • No laws found!
« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #187