15-minute break for 4 to 6 consecutive hours or a 30-minute break for more than 6 consecutive hours. If an employee works 8 consecutive hours or more, the employer must provide a 30-minute break and an additional 15-minute break for each additional 4 consecutive hours of work. Under this section of Connecticut law, no employee is required to work seven and a half consecutive hours or more without a period of at least thirty (30) consecutive minutes for a meal break. These thirty minutes must be provided by the employer some time after the first two hours of work, but before the last two hours. 1/2 hour, off-premises, for lunch in each 8-hour shift. An employer may waive the right to a thirty-minute unpaid lunch break upon the voluntary written request of an employee who is primarily employed in serving food or beverages to customers and who receives tips and reports them to the employer in connection with that employment. Excluded are certain professional employees and workplaces certified by the State Council of Education that are covered by a collective agreement or other written employer-employee agreement. Exceptions may also be granted where compliance would have an impact on public safety; only one employee may perform the duties of a position, an employer has fewer than five employees on a shift at a single place of business; or where the continuity of an employer`s business requires employees to respond to urgent or unusual conditions at all times and employees to be paid for their meal breaks. With so many variables, it is not uncommon for employees and employers to be confused about their rights and obligations regarding meals or breaks. If you work or operate a business in Connecticut and are unsure how the law applies to your particular situation, contact Monarch Law. We advise you on the breaks you may be entitled to or how you can keep your workplace in compliance with the law.

Does not apply to workplaces where fewer than 3 employees are on duty at the same time and the nature of the work allows these workers to take frequent paid breaks during the working day. Does not apply if collective bargaining or other written employer-employee agreements provide otherwise. Applicable to any employer. Meal times are required if employees are not entitled to the necessary breaks and/or if they are allowed to have lunch while working. During this time, the employee must be completely relieved of his duties: lunch at the office during subsequent work does not count. If an employer does not want to offer this lunch break, they must instead allow at least 30 minutes of paid breaks. Many employees work shifts with an employer who guides them through normal meal times. Employees and employers can be confused about what “lunch break” an employee may have. Employee rights and employer obligations are expressly set forth in section 31-51ii of the Connecticut General Act. 1/2 hour for employees who have to work 6 consecutive hours or more.

The lunch break should not be scheduled during or before the first hour of the planned work activity. Connecticut requires employees to have a half-hour lunch break after the first 2 hours of work and before the last 2 hours of work for employees who work 7 and a half consecutive hours or more in a shift. The Labour Commissioner is responsible for exempting any employer from the laws on food breaks by order in council if it is determined that compliance with the rules of public safety would be prejudicial or that the duties of a position can only be performed by a single employee or in continuous operation under certain conditions, or that the employer employs fewer than 5 employees in a single place of business, provided that the exception applies only to workers on such a team. If an employee wanted to work without interruption, a “self-certification” of the agreement should suffice. Apart from the meal break requirement, there is no obligation under federal or state law for employers to schedule additional breaks. In practice, however, many employers offer short paid breaks during the day, even though there is no collective agreement that prescribes such breaks. Typically, employers offer one or two paid breaks of 10 to 15 minutes during a normal workday. However, if an employer allows breaks, the break time must be paid.

This includes the time called lunch or rest break of five to 20 minutes. These intervals are considered part of the working day and must be compensated. Hotel maids may not need to work during a break. The break area must be equipped with adequate seating and tables in a clean and comfortable environment. Drinking water must be provided free of charge. The employer must keep complete and accurate records of break times. Applicable to any employer, except in work environments which, due to their professional nature, offer ample opportunity to take a reasonable meal break. While some states have labor regulations that require employees to be granted one or more rest periods on a workday, the Connecticut government has no such regulations. Therefore, in Connecticut, all breaks or rest periods are granted to employees at the discretion of the employer. Connecticut`s meal break laws exclude employers who offer a total of 30 minutes or more of paid rest or meal time in each hour and a half of work.

Mealtime requirements do not modify or affect applicable collective agreements or prevent a different meal plan through a written employer-employee agreement. Meal times must be given some time after the first two hours of work and before the last two hours of work, although an employer and an employee may enter into a written agreement providing for a different meal schedule.