Must My Employer Provide For Rest And/Or Meal Periods?

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Must My Employer Provide For Rest And/Or Meal Periods?

Employees who work a shift of more than six hours starting before 11 A.M. and continuing until 2 P.M. must have an uninterrupted lunch period of at least half an hour between 11 A.M. and 2 P.M.

For detailed information on meal period requirements, go to: www.labor.state.ny.us/business_ny/employer_responsibilities/employer/meals.html

Meal periods are not counted as work time, thus employers need not pay for that time. Other "Breaks", such as for "rest periods" or "coffee breaks," are not required. If a break (of up to 20 minutes) is permitted, then it should be paid as working time.

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