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Focus on New Laws: Breaks and Meal Periods Policy Change
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, employers must comply with new rest and meal period standards.
The 2025 legislative session brought changes to employer break and meal period policies through passage of the omnibus jobs, labor, and economic development policy and appropriations bill (Chapter 6). Initially introduced as the Department of Labor and Industry’s policy bill, the law amends sections of statute that govern employer requirements for breaks.
Key changes effective Jan. 1, 2026
- Employers must allow each employee a rest break of at least 15 minutes — or enough time to use the nearest convenient restroom, whichever is longer — within each four consecutive hours of work.
- Employers must allow each employee who is working six or more consecutive hours a meal break of at least 30 minutes. Employers are not required to pay employees during the meal break.
The law also adds a new remedy for employees if an employer fails to provide the required breaks for any violation of the statute. If an employee is not allowed the required breaks, the employer is liable to the employee for the time that should have been provided, paid at the employee’s regular rate of pay, plus an additional amount as liquidated damages.
Employers may still negotiate different meal period arrangements under collective bargaining agreements with union employees.
Additional resources
For more information on break requirements and other topics related to compensation, see the League’s Human Resources Reference Manual, Chapter 4 (pdf).