2007-09-07 06:47:10 · 21 answers · asked by patjoub 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If you live in the USA, Federal law does not require lunch or coffee breaks.
However, when employers do offer short breaks (usually lasting about 5 to 20 minutes), federal law considers the breaks work-time that must be paid.
Unauthorized extensions of authorized work breaks need not be counted as hours worked when the employer has expressly and unambiguously communicated to the employee that the authorized break may only last for a specific length of time, that any extension of the break is contrary to the employer's rules, and any extension of the break will be punished.
Bona fide meal periods (typically lasting at least 30 minutes), serve a different purpose than coffee or snack breaks and, thus, are not work time and are not compensable.
Your state may have laws that go beyond federal, so check those out too.
Added later ---------------- alright idiot (whoever thumbs downed me), since all but my last sentenance was cut and pasted from the Department of Labor website, you need to get a clue. This isn't a subjective question. It's black and white, and unlike every other person who answered, I actually went right to the source and provided the only accurate answer. Don't like it? Complain to the government, not me!
2007-09-08 01:26:09 · answer #1 · answered by whiskeyman510 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
You are entitled to a 15 minute break for every 4 hours that you work.
2007-09-07 06:50:34 · answer #2 · answered by lil_funky_chicken2004 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think in the US it is 4 hours for a lunch, 2 for a 10-15 min break.
2007-09-07 06:51:27 · answer #3 · answered by fairly smart 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
4-5 hours and break for 30-15 min
2007-09-07 06:53:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had thought that those who said 15 min. for every 4 hours of work were correct. It is not mandated in a Federal Law known as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as I had previously believed, when I read this: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/workhours/breaks.htm I was appalled/ amazed. I am going to investigate further and try and determine how long this has been the rule.
Actual text of law: http://www.dol.gov/dol/allcfr/Title_29/Part_785/29CFR785.18.htm rev. 1961. It appears this rule has been in effect for 46 years. Sorry for the bad news, I think it sux too.
2007-09-07 08:35:41 · answer #5 · answered by HP 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you are not entitled to a break. go to a usgov website or state. get a copy of your employee hand book maybe its in there but the gov. doesn't require it. it does require time and a half for hours worked after 40 hrs in 1 week. When I managed I scheduled an extra nonpaid half hour or hour to accomodate an am &pm break and a lunch which is legal.
2007-09-07 06:54:48 · answer #6 · answered by Mars 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It used to be 15 minutes for every 4 hours. Check with the department of labor.
2007-09-07 06:50:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
reckoning on the state the place you paintings, there is not any requirement for a ruin for a 4 hour shift. in case you paintings and eight hr shift then you get 2 breaks and a lunch... a minimum of half-hour..
2016-10-18 05:55:17 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
4 hours = 15 min.
2007-09-07 06:51:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
According to federal law, 4 hours.
2007-09-07 06:51:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋