At Emery Reddy, PLLC, we are dedicated to ensuring that Washington workers are informed about their rights regarding meal and rest breaks. Understanding these rights is crucial for maintaining fair and lawful workplace practices. If you are being denied the meals and break periods to which you are entitled to by L&I, call Emery | Reddy for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist and learn how we may be able to help. No fee unless we recover for you.
Rest Breaks
Under Washington law, employees are entitled to:
Paid Rest Periods: A paid rest break of at least 10 minutes for every 4 hours worked.
Scheduling: Rest breaks should be scheduled as close as possible to the midpoint of the work period.
Frequency: Employees cannot be required to work more than 3 consecutive hours without a rest break.
On-Site Requirement: Employers may require employees to remain on the premises during rest breaks.
Compensation: Rest breaks are considered hours worked and must be compensated accordingly.
Meal Periods
Employees working more than 5 hours in a shift are entitled to:
Meal Break: A meal period of at least 30 minutes, starting between the second and fifth hour of the shift.
Additional Meal Periods: For shifts extending more than 3 hours beyond the scheduled shift, additional 30-minute meal periods must be provided within 5 hours from the end of the previous meal period.
For certain jobs, mini rest breaks totaling at least 10 minutes over a 4-hour period may be permitted instead of a scheduled rest break.
Paid Meal Periods
Meal periods must be paid if:
- The employee is required to remain on duty.
- The employee is on-call on the premises or work site in the employer’s interest, even if not called back to duty.
- The meal period is interrupted by work duties.
In such cases, the entire meal period is considered hours worked and must be compensated.
Unpaid Meal Periods
Employers are not required to pay for meal breaks if the employee is completely relieved of all duties for the entire 30-minute period.
Waivers and Variances
Meal Break Waivers: Employees may voluntarily waive their meal break if both they and their employer agree.
Rest Break Waivers: Rest breaks cannot be waived under any circumstances.
Variances: Employers may apply for a variance to modify rest and meal break requirements by submitting a Variance Application (F700-089-000).
Special Considerations
Restroom Breaks
Employers must provide reasonable access to bathroom facilities. Restricting restroom use to rigid schedules or imposing unreasonable time restrictions is prohibited.
Healthcare Workers
Healthcare employees may have specific meal and rest period requirements under new labor standards effective July 1, 2026. These include uninterrupted meal and rest breaks, with certain exceptions for emergencies or unforeseen clinical circumstances. Employers in the healthcare industry must comply with these standards and report compliance quarterly.
Minors and Agricultural Workers
Different standards apply to employees under 18 and agricultural workers. For detailed information on these specific regulations, please refer to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
Emery | Reddy Can Help You with Your Wage and Hour Claim
If you have tried to work things out with your employer and nothing has been done, then it’s time to consult with an experienced Seattle Employment and Labor Law attorney. Employment and Labor Law is complicated and can be overwhelming for anyone not familiar with it. Trying to hold a company accountable for bad business practices requires a skilled attorney to navigate the different laws and tactics an employer may use.
Emery | Reddy has over eight decades of experience in Employment and Labor Law and an unmatched record of helping Washington state workers get the justice they deserve in labor violations. Call for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist and learn how we may able to help. No fee unless we recover for you.
Are you Injured?
Contact Us Today
Contact Us for a FREE Case Review.
No Fee Unless We Recover for You.
Want More Information?
A document review is a comprehensive consultation and analysis of your document’s legal language, context, and impact on your worker’s rights as an employee of Washington state.
Employment and Labor Law violations are all too common and can leave you feeling ashamed, confused, angry, anxious, and afraid. Find out the answers to your Employment Law questions today.
Washington state law protects all people from discriminatory and unfair practices in the workplace.
We fight for you
Meet the Team
If you’ve been injured on the job or are dealing with a difficult Washington state L&I claim, the experienced L&I Attorneys at Emery | Reddy, PLLC are here to help. We represent Washington state workers in Labor and Industries (L&I) claims and Employment Law disputes.
With over 80 years of combined experience, our L&I Lawyers understand how the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — and large employers — operate. We use that knowledge to help injured workers recover time-loss, medical benefits, vocational rehabilitation, PPD awards, and L&I pensions. Our legal team also holds employers accountable for wrongful termination, retaliation, and wage violations.
Don’t navigate your L&I claim alone. Contact the trusted L&I Attorneys at Emery | Reddy for a Free Case Review with an experienced Intake Specialist to learn more about how Emery | Reddy may be able to help. No fee unless we recover for you.
Serving Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Everett, and workers across Washington state.
“Tim and team were fantastic! You want a team that is dedicated, smart, responsive and listens....Emery | Reddy is the team you need. I am so glad they took my case!! Best decision I made!!”
— Kristina M.
Receive a
FREE Case Review
