Lunch Rules - By State
Managing employee break times (IE Lunches, coffee breaks) is not only challenging; it can cost you MORE if you get it wrong. Some states for example; California has very strict lunch policies where an employer who fails to allow a lunch by the 6th working hour must pay a lunch penalty (bonus to an employee) of 1 hour at their base rate. Just the occasional occurrence of missed lunches could cost an employer hundreds of dollars per day in direct and indirect costs.
Here is quick list of States and a simple view of their lunch requirements:
California – 1/2 hour after 5 hours worked, unless shift is only 6 hours
Colorado – 1/2 hour after 5 hours worked, unless shift is only 6 hours
Connecticut – if shift is 7.5 hours, 1/2 hour lunch after first 2 hours but before last 2 hours
Delaware – if shift is 7.5 hours, 1/2 hour lunch after first 2 hours but before last 2 hours
Illinois – required for hotel room attendants only
Kentucky – reasonable meal period between 3rd and 5th hour of shift
Maine – 1/2 hour after 6 consecutive hours
Massachusetts – 1/2 hour, if work is more than 6 hours
Minnesota – reasonable period, if shift is 8+ consecutive hours
Nebraska – 1/2 hour, off premises, at suitable lunch time
Nevada – 1/2 hour, if work is 8 consecutive hours
New Hampshire – 1/2 hour, after 5 consecutive hours – unless employee can eat while working
New York – 1/2 hour, if shift is more than 6 hours
North Dakota – 1/2 hour, if work is more than 5 hoursv
Oregon – 1/2 hour
Rhode Island – 20 minutes for 6 hour shift; 30 minutes for 8 hour shift
Tennessee – 1/2 hour, if shift is 6 hours
Washington – 1/2 hour, for 5 hour shift
West Virginia – 20 minutes, if work is more than 6 consecutive hours
Conclusion
Attendance Enterprise can accommodate all States lunch regulations from Alaska to Wyoming including Puerto Rico and Internationally. Once your organization has their Lunch, or other payroll policy is automated with Attendance Enterprise; you will rest easy the rules are applied according your needs. Call us today for more information on how IntegriTime can help reduce your labor expense.