Generally speaking, yes an employer may require that their employees take breaks, even if they are not required to provide them under the law; there is nothing in the law that would prevent them from doing so.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has neither researched nor issued standards requiring that workers be permitted lunch and rest breaks in the course of their workday.
In Illinois, a shift lasting 7.5 hours or more entitles employees to a meal break of 20 minutes. The meal break must be taken not more than five hours after the employee has initiated work. If an employee works for more than 10 hours, they are entitled to two meal breaks, with a minimum of 20 minutes each.
Senate Bill 3146 changes this. It establishes that non-exempt employees in Illinois must have at least one day of rest in each successive seven-day time period, no matter where those days are on a calendar week.
Illinois Labor Laws Guide Illinois Labor Laws FAQ Illinois minimum wage$12 Illinois overtime 1.5 times the regular wage for any time worked over 40 hours/week ($18 for minimum wage workers) Illinois breaks Meal break for employees working at least 7.5 hours per shift (at least a 20-minute break, after 5 hours of work)
How many breaks in an 8-hour shift in Illinois? Your employer is required by law to offer you a 30-minute meal break in an 8-hour shift. Hotel attendants are also mandated two additional 15-minute breaks in a break room with drinking water.
Federal law does not require lunch or coffee breaks.