Meal Breaks

• Arizona is not among approximately 20 states that require meal breaks, typically lasting at least 30 minutes, for employees as a matter of law. Federal labor laws do not make meal breaks mandatory, either, and allow employers to schedule employees for any number of consecutive hours during each workday. Employers do not break the law by forcing employees to work a continuous shift of any length.
  
  

Rest Periods

• Arizona is not one of fewer than 10 states that require rest periods for employees in addition to a full meal break. The states that make rest periods mandatory generally require employers to provide a 10-minute period to employees who work more than two hours in any four-hour block. Federal labor laws also do not require rest periods for employees, with one exception: Mothers with newborns must receive break time as needed to nurse their newborns or express milk for up to a year after birth. Employers may be able to get out of the requirement if complying with it would create a significant burden on the business operations.
  
  

Considerations

• Employers in Arizona and other states may have to provide breaks in accordance with the terms of collective bargaining agreements with unions or other labor organizations. Employers that have no obligations to offer breaks still may opt to do so, in part because breaks may increase employee productivity and efficiency by helping workers stay fresh. For employees in physically taxing jobs, breaks may be necessary for their health and safety.
  
  

Guidelines

• Federal laws impose requirements on employers who opt to offer breaks. Employees should continue to receive their usual rate of compensation during rest periods that do not last much more than 20 minutes. For legitimate meal breaks that last in the range of 30 minutes, employers may count the time as an unpaid addition to the regular work shift. Employees must receive their usual rate of compensation, however, if employers do not ensure their meal break is work-free.