Meal Periods and Rest Breaks
Federal and Utah law don’t require meal or rest breaks—but if you choose to offer them, strict rules apply. This article explains when breaks must be paid, what counts as work during a break, and how employers can avoid costly wage violations.
Meal Periods and Rest Breaks:
Neither Federal law nor Utah law actually require employers to provide rest or meal breaks. But as an employer, you may still choose to give your employees breaks. If you choose to give breaks, there are a few things you should know to stay out of trouble with the law:
Rest Breaks
Rest breaks are short, usually about 10 minutes or less. Employees are still on-the-clock during these breaks and must be paid for the full rest break. However, unauthorized extensions of these short breaks do not have to be compensated if you have expressly communicated that the break may only last for a certain period of time.
Meal Breaks
Meal breaks are typically 30 minutes or more. These breaks are off-the-clock, and employees do not have to be paid, as long as they are not required to perform any work duties during this period. If an employee is still required to answer phones, write emails, or perform any other function of their job during this period, they must be paid for the entire meal break period. Additionally, meal breaks typically have no restrictions on where an employee can go. If you require the employee to stay on site during their meal break, they may need to be paid for the break.
Business owners who give breaks but do not follow these guidelines may be liable for two times what would have paid the employee for their break periods. It is important to understand these rules regarding breaks in order to protect your business and your employees!
If you have any questions or concerns about your business’s rest or meal break policies, please contact Employer-Lawyer at (801) 874-4964.
