US Break Laws Poster

Rest and meal breaks play an important role in day-to-day work schedules. In the US, federal law does not require employers to provide meal or rest breaks.

Even so, many employers choose to offer breaks as part of their workplace policies.

Federal law does not mandate meal or rest breaks. Employers decide whether to offer breaks and how to structure them.

When employers choose to provide breaks, federal rules determine how those breaks count toward paid work time.

Meal or rest breaks that last less than 20 minutes usually count as paid work time under federal rules.

Breaks that last 30 minutes or longer usually count as unpaid time, as long as the employee is fully relieved of work duties.

Since break laws can vary by state, employees must also follow employer policies and applicable state rules. Extending a break without authorization may still lead to disciplinary action.

Yes. Break laws vary by state and may depend on the type of employee or industry. Some states require specific meal or rest breaks, while others follow federal standards.

Because of these differences, break rules do not look the same across the country.

This US Break Laws Poster provides a detailed breakdown of the types of breaks that apply to different employees in each state. The poster focuses on state-level requirements and helps compare break rules across the US in one place.