Meal and Rest Breaks

New and Updated

• Date:

  September 18, 2026

  Type:

  News

  DOL Opinion Letters Shed Light on Meal Breaks, Volunteering and Tip Pools

  The DOL said meal breaks that are significantly reduced by travel time may still be noncompensable as long as they are long enough for employees to eat a meal (i.e., typically 30 minutes).

• Type:

  Employment Law Guide

  Hours Worked: New York

  Updated to reflect the forthcoming New York Construction Reporting Pay Act. 

• Type:

  Checklists

  Update Your Employee Handbook With 2026 Developments Checklist

  Updated to reflect developments concerning smoking in Alabama; distracted driving and lactation accommodation in Connecticut; and paid family leave in the District of Columbia.

• Type:

  Employment Law Guide

  Hours Worked: Colorado

  Updated to reflect rest break requirements for meatpacking employees, effective August 12, 2026.
  

• Type:

  Employment Law Guide

  Hours Worked: Rhode Island

  Updated to reflect the forthcoming Warehouse Worker Protection Act.

• Type:

  Legal Timetable

  Rhode Island Warehouse Worker Protection Act Takes Effect

• Type:

  Handbook Templates

  Meal and Rest Periods Handbook Statement: California

  Updated statement for clarity.

• Type:

  Handbook Templates

  Meal and Rest Breaks Handbook Statement: Colorado

  Updated threshold and statement to reflect the latest Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order, effective January 1, 2026.

• Type:

  50-State Charts

  Meal and Rest Break Requirements by State

  Updated to reflect amendments to the meal and rest break requirements in Minnesota, effective January 1, 2026.

• Type:

  Employment Law Guide

  Hours Worked: Illinois

  Updated to reflect amendments to the Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act, effective January 1, 2026.