Required Paid Breaks and Lunches for Full Time Employees

Employees need breaks during the workday. Studies show that employees who get breaks are happier and healthier than employees who do not. However, there are few laws that require paid breaks or paid lunches. In fact, many employees do not get paid lunches. Most employees do get paid breaks during the day, but the laws governing such breaks vary from state to state.

Employers have wide discretion as to when and how their employees can take breaks. Most employers allow their employees to take a lunch break once each day, but many do not pay employees for the time they take to eat. Whether you are paid for a lunch break or not usually depends on the terms of your work contract, so double check yours for more information.

A few states require employees to have a certain number of paid breaks for every certain number of hours they work. In general, however, this too is at the discretion of the employer. Most employers allow employees to take a few minutes of break time every few hours. Some strictly track the time their employees spend on break and set limits on when they can take breaks. Certain categories of employees, such as those involved in long-distance trucking or bus driving, are legally required to take longer breaks and to take them at certain times or after driving certain distances / lengths of time.

For More Information

For more specific information about local laws related to paid breaks and paid lunches, contact an experienced employment lawyer. The Vaughn Law Firm, LLC, has a staff of federal employment lawyers who may be able to answer your questions and help you with your situation. Call today at 877-615-9495.