Meal and rest break requirements by state

For HR teams managing employees across multiple states, understanding meal and rest break requirements is essential to maintaining compliance and supporting employee well‑being. These rules vary significantly between jurisdictions, creating challenges for multi‑state employers who must keep track of which employees are entitled to breaks, how long those breaks must last, and what exemptions may apply.

Our state‑by‑state overview helps HR leaders streamline compliance by bringing together the key details companies need to design lawful break policies and demonstrate alignment with state and federal requirements. It summarizes the most important elements of break laws, helping employers reduce compliance risk, maintain workforce efficiency, and implement fair, employee‑centric scheduling practices.

Our Fifty state chart on meal and rest break requirements covers key compliance details, including:

• Which employees, if any, are entitled to meal and/or rest breaks, and when they must be provided
• The required duration of meal and rest breaks under state law
• Additional provisions, such as:
  • timing requirements,
  • required facilities, and
  • overlapping requirements related to breastfeeding breaks and days of rest
• Available exemptions that may apply to specific industries, minors, or job types

With clear, actionable information, this guide equips HR and compliance teams to confidently manage scheduling practices across all jurisdictions while protecting employee rights and minimising regulatory risk.

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