Washington Meal Break Requirements
activeWashington requires employers to provide a 30-minute meal break to employees who work more than 5 consecutive hours. The meal break must be provided no less than 2 hours and no more than 5 hours from the beginning of the shift. The meal period is unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties.
Applicability
Requirements
- Meal Break Duration Minutes
- 30
- Consecutive Hours Trigger
- 5
- Earliest Start Hour
- 2
- Latest Start Hour
- 5
- Paid
- No
- Paid Conditions
- Unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of all duties. If the employee is required to remain on duty or at the workplace, the meal period must be paid.
- On Duty Meal Period Allowed
- Yes
- On Duty Meal Period Conditions
- Permitted only when the nature of the work prevents the employee from being completely relieved of all duties. Must be paid as time worked.
- Additional Meal Breaks
- Second Meal Break Trigger Hours
- 10
- Second Meal Break Duration Minutes
- 30
- Note
- An additional 30-minute meal period is required for shifts exceeding 10 hours.
Penalties
Employers who fail to provide required meal breaks may be liable for payment of the employee's regular rate for each meal period not provided, plus potential penalties under RCW 49.48.
Statute of limitations: 3 years
Notes
Employees may waive the meal period when the shift will be completed in 6 hours or less. Agricultural workers have specific meal break provisions. Certain healthcare employees may have different meal break requirements under WAC 296-126-092(4).