Should i be paid for my lunch break

Workers over 18 are usually entitled to 3 types of break - rest breaks at work, daily rest and weekly rest. Workers have the right to one uninterrupted 20 minute rest break during their working day, if they work more than 6 hours a day. This could be a tea or lunch break. Check what you need to do. To help us improve GOV. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies.

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Employment Law FAQs. Can you get paid for meal periods? Contact Us. For example, Delaware requires employers to provide a minute meal break to employees who work at least seven and a half hours; minors are entitled to a minute break once they work five hours.

Some states have special break rules for all minors employees who are not yet 18 years old , while others have special break rules only for minors who are 15 or younger. For information on your state's break rules for younger workers, contact your state labor department.

If you aren't allowed to take legally required breaks, or you're required to work through your breaks without getting paid, contact your state labor department.

To learn more about meal and rest break rules, and other laws that protect you in the workplace, get Your Rights in the Workplace , by Barbara Kate Repa Nolo. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site.

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An employee's right to take meal and rest breaks depends on state law. If you get meal or rest breaks, your employer doesn't have to pay you for that time unless: your state's law requires paid rest breaks see "State Laws on Rest Breaks," below you have to work through your break, or your break lasts 20 minutes or less; generally, these shorter breaks are considered part of your work day and must be paid. State Laws on Meal Breaks Fewer than half the states require employers to provide a meal break.

State Laws on Rest Breaks Only a handful of states currently require employers to allow employees to take rest breaks throughout the work day. Different Rules Apply to Younger Workers A number of states require employers to allow younger workers to take meal or rest breaks. What to Do If You Aren't Getting Your Breaks If you aren't allowed to take legally required breaks, or you're required to work through your breaks without getting paid, contact your state labor department.