Are 15-minute breaks paid or unpaid?

In most cases, short rest breaks of 15-20 minutes are considered paid work time. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in the US, breaks of 20 minutes or less are typically compensated as work time. This means they don't reduce your paid hours.

Is my lunch break counted as work time?

Typically, no. Meal breaks of 30 minutes or longer are usually unpaid and not counted as work time, provided you're completely relieved of all duties during the break. If you're required to work or remain available, the break may need to be paid.

How do breaks affect overtime calculations?

Only paid work time counts toward overtime calculations. Unpaid breaks are not included when calculating your total hours for overtime purposes. For example, if you work 9 hours with a 30-minute unpaid lunch, you've worked 8.5 hours toward overtime.

Can my employer deduct paid breaks from my hours?

No, if a break is classified as paid work time (typically short rest breaks of 5-20 minutes), your employer cannot deduct this time from your pay. However, longer unpaid meal breaks where you're relieved of duties can be deducted.

What happens if I work through my unpaid lunch?

If you work through your scheduled unpaid lunch break, you should be paid for that time. Some employers may also owe you additional compensation for the missed break, depending on state laws and company policy.

How Work Breaks Affect Your Paid Hours – Complete Guide

The Two Types of Work Breaks

Work breaks generally fall into two categories, and understanding the difference is crucial for knowing how much you'll actually be paid:

1. Paid Breaks (Rest Breaks)

Paid breaks are short periods where you stop working but remain on the clock. Key characteristics:

Duration: Typically 5-20 minutes
Compensation: Counted as work time and fully paid
Purpose: Allow employees to rest, use the restroom, get coffee, etc.
Frequency: Often provided every 3-4 hours of work
Impact on pay: No reduction – these count toward your paid hours

2. Unpaid Breaks (Meal Breaks)

Unpaid breaks are longer periods where you're completely relieved of work duties. Key characteristics:

Duration: Usually 30-60 minutes
Compensation: NOT counted as work time – deducted from pay
Requirements: Employee must be completely free of all duties
Frequency: Usually one per full shift (often required for shifts over 5-6 hours)
Impact on pay: Reduces your paid hours by the break duration

Key Rule

For a break to be unpaid, you must be completely relieved of all duties. If you're required to remain at your desk, answer phones, monitor equipment, or be available for questions, the break may legally need to be paid.

How Breaks Affect Your Paycheck

Let's look at how different break scenarios affect your actual paid hours:

Example 1: Standard 8-Hour Shift

Shift: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (8 hours at work)
Lunch break: 30 minutes unpaid
Rest break: 15 minutes paid
Calculation: 8 hours – 30 minutes = 7.5 hours paid

The 15-minute paid rest break doesn't reduce your hours because it's paid work time.

Example 2: Long Shift with Multiple Breaks

Shift: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (10 hours at work)
Meal break: 45 minutes unpaid
Morning rest: 15 minutes paid
Afternoon rest: 15 minutes paid
Calculation: 10 hours – 45 minutes = 9.25 hours paid

Example 3: All Paid Breaks

Shift: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (8 hours at work)
Lunch: 20 minutes paid (on-duty lunch)
Rest breaks: Two 10-minute paid breaks
Calculation: 8 hours – 0 minutes = 8 hours paid

Some jobs, like on-duty security or healthcare roles, may have paid meal breaks where employees remain on duty.

Legal Requirements for Breaks

Break requirements vary significantly by location:

United States

Federal law (FLSA): Does not require breaks, but if breaks are provided, those under 20 minutes must be paid
State laws: Many states have their own break requirements (California, Colorado, New York, etc. require meal and/or rest breaks)
Industry rules: Some industries have specific break regulations

European Union

Working Time Directive requires rest breaks for shifts over 6 hours
Minimum 11 hours of rest between shifts
At least one day off per week
Individual countries may have stronger protections

Tips for Managing Break Time

Track your breaks: Keep a record of when you take breaks and their duration
Know your rights: Understand your state/country's break laws
Review your pay stubs: Verify break time is deducted correctly
Document working through breaks: If you work during a break, note it
Use a calculator: Our Break Time Calculator helps you track paid hours

Common Break Scenarios by Industry

Office Workers

Typically have one 30-60 minute unpaid lunch break and may have short paid rest breaks. Flexible break policies are common.

Healthcare Workers

Often have unpaid meal breaks but may be required to remain on-call, which could make breaks compensable. 12-hour shifts usually include longer meal breaks.

Retail & Hospitality

Usually receive scheduled breaks based on shift length. State laws often mandate specific break times for these industries.

Manufacturing & Warehouse

Typically have structured break schedules with designated rest and meal periods. Safety regulations may require specific break frequencies.

Try Our Break Time Calculator

Use our free calculator to determine your exact paid working hours based on your shift times and breaks.

Calculate Your Paid Hours

How Work Breaks Affect Your Paid Hours