How Many Breaks Do You Get in a 12 Hour Shift?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 07, 2023

Most states require a 10 minute break for any shift over 4 hours, and a 30 minute meal time for ever any shift over 6 hours, as of January 2015. A 12 hour shift allots three 10 minute breaks and one hour-long meal, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Note that different states have varying laws regarding break times allotted per number of shift hours worked. For instance, Rhode Island offers a 20 minute lunch break for each 6 hour shift if the employee so desires, while Oregon requires a 30 minute lunch break for all shifts over 6 hours.