HR Compliance

← Back to database

Tennessee Meal Break Requirements

active

Tennessee requires employers to provide a 30-minute meal break to employees who work shifts of 6 or more consecutive hours. The meal break must be provided and may be unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties.

Jurisdiction
TN (state)
Law Type
Meal Breaks
Status
active
Citation
Tenn. Code § 50-2-103(h)
Effective Date
2009-01-01
Last Verified
2026-03-02
Record Updated
2026-03-02

Applicability

Employee Types
non-exempt
Age Groups
adult, 16-17, 14-15

Requirements

Meal Period
Trigger Hours
6
Duration Minutes
30
Timing
Must be provided during shifts of 6 or more consecutive hours.
Duty Free
Yes
Paid
No
Description
A 30-minute unpaid meal break must be provided to employees who work 6 or more consecutive hours. The employee must be completely relieved of duties for the break to be unpaid.
Exemptions
Description
The meal break requirement does not apply to workplaces where only one employee is on duty, or in situations where the nature of the business provides ample opportunity to rest or take an appropriate break.

Penalties

Employers who violate the meal break requirement may be subject to enforcement action by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Notes

Tennessee's meal break law is straightforward with a 6-hour trigger and 30-minute duration. The exemptions for single-employee workplaces and businesses that naturally provide break opportunities are notable.

Sources