breaks
Are Breaks Paid? Lunch and Rest Break Rules Explained
Federal rules on paid and unpaid breaks: short breaks under 20 minutes are paid, 30-minute meal periods can be unpaid, and which states require breaks.
Federal law doesn't require employers to give breaks at all. But if they do, two rules decide whether the time is paid:
- Short rest breaks (about 5 to 20 minutes) are paid. They count as hours worked and toward overtime.
- Bona fide meal periods (usually 30 minutes or more) can be unpaid — but only if you're completely relieved of duty. Eating at your desk while answering phones is work time.
Many states add their own requirements, such as a 30-minute meal break after 5 or 6 hours, or a paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours.
| State | Meal break | Rest break |
|---|---|---|
| California | 30 min after 5 h | 10 min paid / 4 h |
| Colorado | 30 min after 5 h | 10 min paid / 4 h |
| Connecticut | 30 min after 7.5 h | — |
| Delaware | 30 min after 7.5 h | — |
| Illinois | 20 min after 7.5 h | — |
| Kentucky | 30 min after 5 h | 10 min paid / 4 h |
| Maine | 30 min after 6 h | — |
| Massachusetts | 30 min after 6 h | — |
| Minnesota | 30 min after 6 h | 15 min paid / 4 h |
| Nevada | 30 min after 8 h | 10 min paid / 4 h |
| New Hampshire | 30 min after 5 h | — |
| New York | 30 min after 6 h | — |
| North Dakota | 30 min after 5 h | — |
| Oregon | 30 min after 6 h | 10 min paid / 4 h |
| Rhode Island | 20 min after 6 h | — |
| Tennessee | 30 min after 6 h | — |
| Vermont | null min | null min paid |
| Washington | 30 min after 5 h | 10 min paid / 4 h |
| West Virginia | 20 min after 6 h | — |
All other states: no meal or rest break law for adults. Full table with sources →
What to do if breaks are deducted wrongly
Keep your own record of punches and breaks — a screenshot of your time card or an app log is evidence. Then talk to payroll or contact your state labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
Quick answers
Are 15-minute breaks paid?
Yes. Under federal rules, breaks of about 5 to 20 minutes are paid work time.
Is a 30-minute lunch paid?
Usually not, if you're completely relieved of duty. If you have to keep working during lunch, it must be paid.