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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
26 thru 30 of 92 comments
On 02/10/06
justin from TX said:
is there a law against working 14 days straight without an off day. what if you are mentally and physically tired to where you may cause an accident on or off the job because of no time off
On 01/06/06
Annie from OH said:
I was under the impression that after 4 hrs. you received a 15 min.paid break, after 6 hrs. you could have a 30 min. non-paid lunch, and if you work 8 hrs. you were entitled to another 15 min.paid break. I have managered for 2 large corps. and this has always been the standard.
On 12/13/05
K.E. from GA said:
I agree with J.W. and think that something should be done.
On 12/01/05
cathy from MA said:
my husband works in a printing company 12 hr days with no break is this legal
On 11/30/05
Anna from CA said:
My boss wants to send me out of town for a state test and doesn't want to pay for my gas, food or stay there? Is this right, or do they have to pay for my gas at least?
26 thru 30 of 92 comments


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