Meal and Rest Breaks

A Meal and Rest Breaks policy sets clear expectations for when employees can take paid rest breaks and unpaid meal periods, how breaks are scheduled and recorded for non-exempt employees, and how your organization will comply with state and local rules that may require specific timing, duration, and duty-free break protections.

How to Write a Meal and Rest Breaks Policy

• Start with "why" and introduce the concept.
• Define who the policy covers and note that break rights can vary by role, age, and location.
• State the core meal break rule and clarify that meal breaks are unpaid and duty-free.
• State the core rest break rule and clarify that rest breaks are paid and duty-free.
• Explain that employees must not work during breaks and that no one should ask them to.
• Set expectations for coordinating break timing with the work schedule.
• Explain timekeeping expectations for unpaid meal breaks.
• Provide a clear path for employees to report missed, discouraged, or interrupted breaks.
• Cross-reference related policies that may apply separately, such as lactation accommodations, and remind employees to follow any location-specific rules.

For advice on writing a Meal and Rest Breaks policy in a specific jurisdiction, see below.