Waivers and exceptions
Scheduled rest breaks are not needed if the work allows equal intermittent rest. The Director of Labor and Industries may grant variances for good cause. Construction union contracts can replace the rules. Source: dol.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Industry-specific rules
Agricultural workers have their own rule: 30-minute meal for over 5 hours, a second one for 11+ hours, and a paid 10-minute rest every 4 hours. Source: app.leg.wa.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries enforces this rule; penalty amounts aren't set out in the guidance linked here. Source: app.leg.wa.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Recent changes
New minors' break rules (WAC 296-125-111 and -121) took effect July 1, 2026. From January 1, 2027, lactation breaks must be paid, cover employers with 1+ employees, and are on top of meal and rest breaks (RCW 49.92). Source: app.leg.wa.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: WAC 296-126-092 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (opens in a new tab)
What federal law says
Federal law does not require meal or rest breaks. If you give short breaks (about 5 to 20 minutes), they must be paid. Meal periods of 30 minutes or more can be unpaid if the employee is fully relieved of duty. Nursing employees get reasonable break time under the federal PUMP Act. Source: U.S. Department of Labor↗ (opens in a new tab) Source: U.S. DOL — PUMP Act↗ (opens in a new tab)
Meal and rest breaks checklist for Washington employers
A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.
- Check which of your staff the break rules above cover, including minors.
- Build required meal and rest breaks into your schedules.
- Decide which breaks are paid and record them correctly in your timekeeping.
- Set up a private, non-bathroom space for nursing employees.
- Put your break policy in writing and share it with staff.
- Keep time records that show breaks were taken.
More Washington employment law guides
- All Washington employment laws
- Washington final paycheck law
- Washington paid sick leave law
- Washington overtime law
- Washington pay frequency law
- Washington vacation and PTO payout law
- Washington new hire reporting
- Washington at-will exceptions
Meal and rest breaks laws in other states
See every state on one page, or pick a state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
All official government sources, last checked October 19, 2026.
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-126-092
- https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/youth-employment/wages-rest-breaks-and-meal-periods
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-125-111
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.10.005
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/rest-periods
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-131-020
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.92.020
- https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/breaks
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pump-at-work
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.
Last checked: . Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.