Connecticut Meal Break Requirements
activeConnecticut requires employers to provide a 30-minute meal break to employees who work a shift of 7.5 or more consecutive hours. The meal break must be provided after the first 2 hours of work and before the last 2 hours of work. The break may be unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of all duties. Employers in certain industries may apply to the Labor Commissioner for exemptions.
Applicability
Requirements
- Meal Period
- Trigger Hours
- 7.5
- Duration Minutes
- 30
- Timing
- Must be provided after the first 2 hours of work and before the last 2 hours of work.
- Duty Free
- Yes
- Paid
- No
- Description
- A 30-minute meal break must be provided to employees who work shifts of 7.5 or more consecutive hours. The break must fall after the first 2 hours and before the last 2 hours of the shift.
- Exemptions
- Commissioner Exemption
- Employers in certain industries may apply to the Labor Commissioner for an exemption from the meal break requirement if compliance is impractical due to the nature of the business.
- Compliance Conditions
- Employers who allow employees to eat while working may satisfy the requirement if the employee is compensated for the time.
Penalties
Employers who violate the meal break requirement may be subject to fines imposed by the Connecticut Department of Labor. Employees may file complaints with the department for enforcement.
Statute of limitations: 2 years
Notes
Connecticut's meal break law is more specific than many states in requiring the break to fall within a defined window of the shift (after the first 2 hours and before the last 2 hours). The law applies broadly across industries but allows for exemptions by application to the Labor Commissioner.