Mandatory Paid and Unpaid Breaks: Meal, Rest, and Medical Time for Workers.
This Act establishes new mandatory standards for breaks during work for most employees in the U.S., amending existing labor laws. Employers must provide paid and unpaid breaks for meals, rest, restroom use, and medical needs, directly impacting employment conditions and working hours. These changes aim to improve worker health and safety while imposing new compensation requirements on employers for break time.
Key points
Meal Breaks: Employers must provide at least a 30-minute meal break for every 6 hours worked. This break is unpaid unless the employee is not fully relieved of duties or cannot leave the premises, in which case it must be compensated at 1.5 times the regular rate.
Rest and Restroom Breaks: Employers must provide a paid break of at least 10 minutes or a reasonable time to use the restroom, for every 4 hours worked.
Medical Breaks: Employees are entitled to paid breaks (up to 20 minutes each) reasonably required due to a medical condition communicated to the employer.
Waiver Protection: Employers cannot compel an employee to waive their right to a meal break. These requirements do not supersede more protective collective bargaining agreements or state laws.
Expired
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