Break Rules by State

Alabama

An employer is not required to provide a break to an employee 16 yrs or older, however, should an employer choose to it must be a min of 30 minutes otherwise it should be a paid break.

For example, if an employee takes a 15 min break in Alabama… this is PAID. If an employee takes a 32 min break… this is UNPAID. 

Georgia

An employer is not required to provide a break to an employee, however, should an employer choose to it must be a min of 30 minutes otherwise it should be a paid break.

For example, if an employee takes a 15 min break in Georgia… this is PAID.  If an employee takes a 32 min break… this is UNPAID. 

Tennessee

An employer must provide a 30-minute break to an employee who works a 6-hour consecutive shift.  For example:  an employee works 5hr 59 min= no required break.

An employee works 6.0 hours= a 30 min unpaid meal break must be provided.  The employee must have the full 30 minutes otherwise this is a violation.

Mississippi

An employer is not required to provide a break to an employee, however, should an employer choose to it must be a min of 30 minutes otherwise it should be a paid break.

For example, if an employee takes a 15 min break in Mississippi… this is PAID. If an employee takes a 32 min break… this is UNPAID. 

Arkansas

No mandatory breaks for employees 18 years or older, however, if an employer chooses to provide a break, it must be 30 min or longer as unpaid.

Anything less than 30 minutes must be paid. If you have an employee working 6hrs or longer, you must provide a 30 minute break prior to the start of the 5^th hour of work. 

16 and 17 yr olds:  Must receive a 10-minute paid break every 4 hours of work.