Break Laws in Washington

Break requirements

Meal break required?	Yes
Meal break duration	30 minutes
Meal break trigger	After 5 hours worked
Meal break paid?	No
Second meal break	Required for shifts over 10 hours
Meal break details	Employees working 5 or more hours must receive a 30-minute uninterrupted meal break. The break must start no later than 5 hours and no earlier than 2 hours into the shift. A second meal break is required for shifts exceeding 10 hours. The employee must be completely relieved of all duties.
Rest break required?	Yes
Rest break duration	10 minutes
Rest break frequency	Every 4 hours
Rest break paid?	Yes
Rest break details	Employees are entitled to a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours of work. The break should be scheduled as close to the middle of the 4-hour work period as practicable. Employees cannot be required to remain on the work premises during rest breaks.
Statute	WAC SS 296-126-092

Break Laws in Washington: what you need to know

Washington requires employers to provide both meal breaks and rest breaks to employees. Washington has comprehensive break laws similar to California and Oregon. Both meal and rest break requirements are strictly enforced by the Department of Labor and Industries. Having both requirements gives Washington workers stronger protections than most states, where one or both types of breaks are left to employer discretion.

For meal breaks, Washington law requires 30 minutes for shifts of a specified length hours or more. This break is typically unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties. Employees working 5 or more hours must receive a 30-minute uninterrupted meal break. The break must start no later than 5 hours and no earlier than 2 hours into the shift. A second meal break is required for shifts exceeding 10 hours. The employee must be completely relieved of all duties.

For rest breaks, Washington requires 10 minutes for every 4 hours worked. Rest breaks must be paid. Employees are entitled to a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours of work. The break should be scheduled as close to the middle of the 4-hour work period as practicable. Employees cannot be required to remain on the work premises during rest breaks.

For Washington workers, understanding your break rights is important for daily quality of life. If your employer violates Washington's break law, you may be entitled to additional compensation or penalties. Workers in physically demanding jobs, healthcare, and retail are particularly affected by break policies because fatigue from continuous work can affect both performance and safety.

It is also worth noting that some Washington workers may be covered by industry-specific regulations even if the state lacks a general break law. For example, commercial drivers are subject to federal Hours of Service regulations that require rest periods. Healthcare workers may have facility-specific policies mandated by accreditation standards. And workers under 18 are often subject to stricter break requirements under child labor laws, even in states that do not require breaks for adults.

More Washington workplace laws

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Frequently asked questions about break laws in Washington

Does Washington require my employer to give me a lunch break?

Yes. Washington requires a meal break of 30 minutes for qualifying shifts.

Does Washington require paid rest breaks?

Yes. Washington requires paid rest breaks.

Can my Washington employer make me work through my lunch break?

If Washington law requires a meal break and your employer requires you to work through it, you may be entitled to additional compensation or penalties.

Do Washington break laws apply to minors?

Most states, including Washington, have separate break requirements for workers under 18 under child labor laws. These requirements are typically stricter than adult break laws. If you are a minor worker, check Washington's child labor laws for your specific break rights.

What can I do if my Washington employer does not provide required breaks?

Document the violations and file a complaint with the Washington Department of Labor. You may be entitled to additional pay or penalties for missed breaks.