Work Break Requirements CalculatorFind out how many breaks you're owed.

Select your state and shift length to see exactly what breaks you're legally entitled to — and what your employer owes if they skip them.

Whether work breaks are required by law depends entirely on your state — and the differences are dramatic. States like California, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado mandate both paid rest breaks and unpaid meal breaks. But work break laws in New Jersey require nothing for adult employees — NJ follows the federal FLSA default, meaning your employer isn't legally obligated to give you a single break. The same is true for work break laws in Florida and work break laws in Georgia, where no state-level break protections exist for adults. New York work break laws (NY) require only meal periods — and only in certain circumstances — with no mandated short rest breaks.

Use the free calculator below to instantly see what work breaks are required by law in your state for your specific shift length — including whether those breaks must be paid, and what your employer owes you if they skip them.

🔥 NJ — No State Break Law (FLSA only) ⚠️ Florida — No Break Requirement 📋 New York — Meal Breaks Only ⚠️ Georgia — No Break Requirement ✅ California — Strictest in US + 45 More States Covered

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Your Break Entitlements

All 50 States — Break Law Reference Table

State Rest Breaks Required? Rest Break Details Meal Breaks Required? Meal Break Details Paid / Unpaid Penalty for Violations
⚖️ Disclaimer: This tool is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Break laws can vary by industry, occupation, and collective bargaining agreements. Laws change frequently. Always verify with your state labor department or a licensed employment attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions — Work Break Laws by State

Common questions about rest breaks, meal breaks, paid vs. unpaid rules, and state-specific requirements.

New Jersey work break laws do not require employers to provide rest breaks or meal breaks for adult employees. NJ follows the federal FLSA default, which means:

  • No paid rest break is legally required for adults
  • No meal break is legally required for adults
  • If your employer voluntarily offers a break under 20 minutes, it must be paid under federal law
  • Meal breaks of 30+ minutes can be unpaid only if you are completely duty-free

The one exception: minors under 18 in NJ must receive a 30-minute break after 5 consecutive hours of work. If you believe your employer is forcing you to work through voluntary short breaks without pay, that is a potential federal FLSA violation you can report to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Florida has no state law requiring rest breaks or meal breaks for adult employees. Work break laws in Florida are governed entirely by the federal FLSA, which sets no break requirements — only pay rules when breaks are voluntarily provided.

In practice, this means:
  • Florida employers are not legally required to give you a lunch break
  • Florida employers are not legally required to give you a 15-minute rest break
  • If they offer a break under 20 minutes voluntarily, it must be paid
  • Minors under 18 must receive at least a 30-minute break after 4 consecutive hours

Many Florida employers do provide breaks as a matter of company policy, but this is not a legal obligation under Florida state law. Use the calculator above and select Florida to confirm this for your specific shift length.
New York work break laws (NY) require meal periods but not rest breaks. The rules depend on your industry and shift timing:

  • Factory/manufacturing workers: 60-minute meal break between 11am–2pm
  • Most other workers: 30-minute meal break between 11am–2pm (for shifts of 6+ hours starting between 1pm–6am)
  • Shifts over 10 hours: An additional 20-minute meal break required
  • Shifts starting before 11am and ending after 7pm: An additional 20-minute break between 5pm–7pm

These meal breaks are unpaid if you are completely relieved of duties. New York does not mandate short paid rest breaks (the 10–15 minute variety). No break is required for shifts under 6 hours. Violations can be reported to the NY Department of Labor.
Georgia has no state law requiring work breaks of any kind for adult employees. Work break laws in Georgia default to federal FLSA standards: employers are not required to provide rest breaks or meal breaks. If an employer voluntarily provides a short break (under 20 minutes), it must be paid. Longer meal breaks of 30+ minutes may be unpaid if the employee is duty-free. Minors under 16 in Georgia are entitled to a 30-minute break after working 5 consecutive hours.
No federal law requires employers to provide work breaks. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not mandate rest breaks or meal breaks for adult employees. However, about 21 states and DC do require breaks under state law. States with the strongest requirements include California (10-min paid rest break per 4 hours + 30-min unpaid meal break), Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Nevada. States like Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, Texas, and New York (for most workers) have no mandated rest breaks. Use the calculator above to check your specific state.
Under federal law and most state laws, short rest breaks (typically under 20 minutes) must be paid — meaning they count as work time and you receive your regular wage. Meal breaks (typically 30 minutes or longer) may be unpaid, but only if you are completely relieved of all work duties for the entire duration. If your employer requires you to monitor phones, stay at your workstation, or remain available during a meal break, that break must be paid regardless of its length.