Neither the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) nor Georgia law require breaks or meal periods be given to workers. However, many employers do provide breaks and meal periods. Breaks of short duration (from 5 to 20 minutes) are common.
Georgia is another “employment-at-will” state. This means an employer has the right to terminate employment at any time for any reason — provided that it is not based on discrimination, retaliation, or similar.
What is The Legal Break Entitlement On a 12-Hour Shift? Unfortunately, the 20-minute break rule still applies to 12-hour shifts. You are working over 6 hours, but there are no rules that stipulate an additional 20 minutes should be afforded if you work 12 hours.
Neither the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) nor Georgia law requires breaks or meal periods be given to workers. However, many employers do provide breaks and meal periods, even though discretionary with the employer. Breaks of short duration, from 5 to 20 minutes, are common.
Comments Section Yes, an employer can require you to take a lunch break. Many believe employees are more productive when they get a break to unwind in the middle of the day. If you refuse to take a break and work through lunch, you can be legally terminated.
No. If you would need to refuse a break, either the break is a legal requirement or part of company policy (so refusal would be a fireable offense). In many situations, such refusal creates liability issues for the employer.
Meal breaks lasting 30 minutes or longer can be unpaid, so long as employees don't work during that time. Employers are not required to give rest breaks. Employees who work between 6 and 8 hours are entitled to a 20-minute meal break. Employees who work for 8 or more hours are entitled to a 30-minute break.
The State of Alabama has no law regulating meal breaks or rest periods for adults. For employees aged 14 or 15, employers must give a 30-minute rest period when the employee works more than five hours continuously. Ala. Code § 25-8-38.
Does the law require 15-minute breaks in Alabama? There is no state law in Alabama requiring employers to provide 15-minute breaks, except for minor employees aged between 14 and 15.
Neither Alabama nor federal law places limitations on the number of hours employees are permitted to work in a day or week. All employees who are at least 16 can work as many hours per day or week as they see fit. Paying Overtime: There are no overtime laws in Alabama, so employers are beholden to the federal laws.