Meal and lunch breaks in Washington
Employees working more than 5 hours get a 30-minute meal period, between the 2nd and 5th hour of the shift. If the employee must stay on the premises or at a work site for the employer, the meal period is paid. Working 3 or more hours past a normal workday adds another 30-minute meal period.
Rest breaks in Washington
Employees get a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked, near the middle of the work period. No one should work more than 3 hours without a rest break.
Good to know
- Farmworkers have similar but separate rules. Union contracts can change the rules for construction workers.
What federal law says (applies in every state)
- Federal law doesn't require employers to give meal or rest breaks.
- If your employer does give short breaks (usually 5 to 20 minutes), they must be paid.
- Meal breaks of 30 minutes or more can be unpaid, but only if you're fully relieved of work. If you have to keep working while you eat, that time must be paid.
- Most employers must give reasonable break time and a private space (not a bathroom) for nursing employees to pump breast milk for up to a year after a baby's birth.
Work out your hours
Use the Lunch Break Calculator to see your hours worked after an unpaid lunch, or the Timesheet Calculator to add up your week.
Please note: This page is a plain-English summary for adult (18+) private-sector employees, last checked October 2026. Workers under 18, government employees and union members often have different rules. Laws change, so for an official answer check with your state labor department. This isn't legal advice.