Labor Law - Breaks & Meals Washington

Washington State Meal Period Law

Summary

Employers must provide a 30-minute meal period for shifts exceeding 5 hours; it must be paid if the employee remains on duty.

Rights & Rules

01.
Right to an uninterrupted meal period of at least 30 minutes if your shift exceeds 5 hours.
02.
Your meal period must begin no earlier than 2 hours and no later than 5 hours from the beginning of your shift.
03.
The meal period must be paid if you are required to remain on duty on the employer's premises or at a prescribed worksite.

Penalties

01.
Employees can recover unpaid wages if a required paid meal period was denied.
02.
Potential for additional damages, interest, and attorney's fees in successful claims.

Verified Citations

WAC 296-126-092: Meal periods - Rest periods. (1)

"(1) Employees shall be allowed a meal period of at least 30 minutes which commences no earlier than two hours and no later than five hours from the beginning of the shift."

Washington L&I: Breaks and Meals

"Meal periods may be unpaid if the employee is relieved of all duties, or paid if the employee is required to remain on duty on the premises or at a prescribed worksite."