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Meal & Rest Breaks by State.

Missing a required break in California costs you one hour of premium pay per violation.

The topic.

California, Colorado, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington require paid 10-minute rest breaks every 4 hours — on top of unpaid meal breaks. Miss them and you owe premium pay per violation, per employee, per day. Federal law only requires you to compensate breaks under 20 minutes — it doesn't require you to give them at all. This reference maps every state's meal break requirement, rest break requirement, compensability rules, and penalties for non-compliance.

State-by-state references.

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Meal & Rest Break Requirements

California, Colorado, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington require paid 10-minute rest breaks every 4 hours — on top of unpaid meal breaks. Miss them and you owe premium pay per violation, per employee, per day. Fed…

  • State Reference
  • Compliance Checklist
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