State Laws on Rest Breaks
Alaska is one of 30 states in which employers are not legally required to provide rest or meal breaks to adults employed in the private sector. The state of Alaska only enforces 30-minute meal breaks or rest breaks to employees who are in between the ages of 14 and 17. This law only applies to working minors that work 5 or more consecutive hours a day. The break must be taken after the first hour and a half of labor and before the last hour of their shift, under Alaska Statute 23. 10-350.
Federal Laws on Rest Breaks
Many people aren't aware the Federal Government does not enforce any laws or regulations that require employers to allow their employees, of ages 18 and over, the right to time off for a meal or periodic rest break. Although these types of breaks are not mandatory under any state or federal labor law, many employers still provide these breaks as a form of formality and policy. Every business owner wants an efficient and positive work environment, which can’t be achieved with energy drained and hungry employees.
If an employer decides to offer any type of break, whether it is to rest or for a meal, the employer must be in ordinance with Federal laws and rules. Any break of 20 minutes or less is considered part of the workday; therefore, it must be paid – covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). An employer may also require his/her employees to take a meal break of 30 minutes or more with the choice of paying for the break or not. The deciding factor for this method is whether the employee was performing any labor related tasks during the time of rest. For example, if a receptionist must answer calls while he/she eats, the break must be paid. An employer doesn’t have to pay for the meal break if it exceeds 20 minutes without any labor involved.
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