Alex Can I refuse my lunch break in Washington state?
Under Washington State’s meal break statute, an employer must provide an employee working five or more consecutive hours a 30-minute meal period, although employees may waive the meal break under state law.
How many breaks do you get in a 7 hour shift in Washington state?
15 minute break for 4-6 consecutive hours or a 30 minute break for more than 6 consecutive hours. If an employee works 8 or more consecutive hours, the employer must provide a 30-minute break and an additional 15 minute break for every additional 4 consecutive hours worked.
Is there a meal and rest law in Washington State?
This article summarizes certain aspects of the current Washington law on meal and rest breaks, taking into account the latest appellate ruling on the topic, Brady v. AutoZone Stores, Inc., 188 Wn.2d 576, 397 P.3d 120 (2017).
When to take a lunch break in Washington State?
In Washington State, although agricultural labor is excluded from the general meal period requirement, a separate regulation requires a 30-minute meal period after 5 hours in agriculture and an additional 30 minutes for employees working 11 or more hours in a day.
What is the current state of meal and rest break law?
For example, in Pellino v. Brink’s Inc., 164 Wn. App. 668, 688, 267 P.3d 383 (2011), the court stated that “employers have a duty to provide meal periods and rest breaks and to ensure the breaks comply with the requirements of WAC 296-126-092.”
What’s the law on rest breaks in Washington?
Washington is one of eight states mandating rest breaks in addition to meal breaks. Washington’s breaks requirements are stated in Washington Administrative Code § 296-126-092:
How long is a meal period in Washington State?
Washington requires a meal period of ½ hour, if the work period is more than 5 consecutive hours, to be given not less than 2 hours nor more than 5 hours from the beginning of the shift. The meal period is counted as worktime if the employee is required to remain on duty on premises or at a prescribed worksite.
In Washington State, although agricultural labor is excluded from the general meal period requirement, a separate regulation requires a 30-minute meal period after 5 hours in agriculture and an additional 30 minutes for employees working 11 or more hours in a day.
How to comply with meal and rest laws?
In light of these decisions, we recommend that employers with employees in Washington make meal and rest break compliance a priority by: Ensuring that the company has a compliant meal and rest break policy in writing that is distributed to and signed by all non-exempt employees.
How long is the rest period in Washington State?
This page provides details about Washington’s meal and rest period requirements. Washington requires a meal period of ½ hour, if the work period is more than 5 consecutive hours, to be given not less than 2 hours nor more than 5 hours from the beginning of the shift.