(650) 332-8623Utah Break Laws: Meals, Rests, and More (2025)
In this guide, you’ll learn about Utah’s meal and rest break laws, who they apply to, and how to stay compliant in 2025.
Understanding Utah Break Laws
Meal Breaks
Laws in Utah Governing Meal Breaks
Utah labor law does not require employers to provide meal breaks for adult employees (18 years and older). Meal breaks are discretionary, and employers are free to decide whether to offer them. If a meal break is provided, employers must adhere to the following Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guideline:
- Meal periods of 30 minutes or longer can be unpaid, but only if the employee is fully relieved of duties during that time. If the employee remains on duty, the break must be paid.
Rest Breaks
Laws in Utah Governing Rest Breaks
Utah law does not require employers to provide rest breaks for adult employees. However, many employers choose to offer them as part of workplace policy, especially for physically demanding roles.
What's the Difference?
Meal Breaks vs. Rest Breaks in Utah
The key differences between meal breaks and rest breaks in Utah are the duration and whether they are paid:
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Meal Breaks: Employers are not required to provide meal breaks for adults, but if offered, meal periods must be 30 minutes or longer and can be unpaid only if the employee is relieved of duties during the break. If the employee continues to work, the break must be paid.
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Rest Breaks: Typically 10 minutes long, rest breaks are only required for minors. These breaks are paid and cannot be waived by the employer.
Exemptions
What Type of Workers are Exempt from Utah's Break Laws?
In Utah, while meal and rest breaks are generally not mandated for adult employees, certain exemptions apply, primarily influenced by federal regulations.
1. Exempt Employees:
Under Utah and federal law, certain employees are classified as exempt from specific labor provisions, including those related to breaks. These typically include:
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Executive Employees: Those whose primary duty is managing the enterprise or a department, regularly supervising two or more employees, and having the authority to hire or fire.
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Administrative Employees: Individuals whose primary duty involves office or non-manual work related to management or general business operations, exercising discretion and independent judgment.
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Professional Employees: Workers whose primary duty requires advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning, typically acquired through prolonged education.
Exempt employees are generally not entitled to overtime pay and may have different entitlements regarding breaks. However, it’s essential to note that Utah law does not specifically define these exemptions in the context of meal and rest breaks; thus, the FLSA standards are applied.
2. Employees Under Collective Bargaining Agreements:
Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements may have different guidelines for meals and breaks, depending on the terms agreed upon in the contract. Employers and employees should review these agreements to understand their eligibility for breaks that differ from Utah’s standard labor laws.
3. Independent Contractors:
Independent contractors are not considered employees under Utah’s labor laws and are therefore not entitled to the same meal and rest breaks as employees under the law.
Differences Between Utah and Federal Break Laws
Both federal labor laws and Utah labor laws do not stipulate any requirements for rest breaks, specifying only that “bona fide” meal breaks are not to be considered working time and do not need to be paid for if the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
The U.S. Department of Labor provides two primary statutes governing meals and breaks nationwide:
- Rest Breaks: 29 CFR 785.18
- Meal Breaks: 29 CFR 785.19
The state of Utah’s meal and rest breaks follow these federal statues.
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Other Types of Breaks for Workers in Utah
For minor employees (under 18), Utah law does not mandate a meal break. However, Utah Code § 34-23-104 grants the Utah Labor Commission the authority to establish work hours and conditions for minors. The Commission’s guidelines, therefore, indicate that employers should provide a 30-minute meal break if the minor works more than 5 consecutive hours. This break must occur no later than five hours into the shift.
Meanwhile, Utah Labor Commission requires employers to give minors a 10-minute paid rest break for every 3 to 4 hours worked. These breaks cannot be waived.
Utah law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions unless it causes undue hardship (Utah Code § 34A-5-106(1)(g)).
- Includes extra breaks for rest, water, or restroom use.
- No medical certification required for these breaks.
- Employers must notify employees via handbook or workplace posting.
This aligns with the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) at the federal level.
Breaks for Nursing Mothers: Under Utah law, as well as federal law (PUMP Act), nursing mothers must be provided reasonable accommodations to express milk, including:
- Breaks to express breast milk.
- A private location, not a bathroom, to express milk.
- These breaks are typically unpaid, unless they coincide with other paid breaks
Recordkeeping Requirements for Breaks in Utah
Utah employers must maintain accurate records of all hours worked, including meal and rest breaks for minors and breaks for nursing mothers as required by law. Most records must be kept for at least one year, while records for construction workers must be retained for three years. Proper documentation ensures compliance with state and federal labor laws and helps employers avoid penalties.
Utah Penalties for Meal and Break Violations
$500 per ViolationMissed Break Violations for Minors
If an employer fails to provide required meal or rest breaks for minor employees (under 18), they may face fines of up to $500 per violation. Each missed break may be treated as a separate violation, leading to additional fines.
Up to $1,000Criminal Penalties for Repeated Violations
Employers who knowingly and repeatedly violate break regulations for minors may face criminal penalties. This could include up to 6 months in jail and a fine up to $1,000 for a class B misdemeanor.
$100 per DayLactation Break Violations
Employers who fail to provide adequate break time and/or private space for breastfeeding employees to express milk may face fines of $100 per day for each day the employee is denied breaks. These violations can result in significant penalties under both state and federal law.
Misconceptions About Meals and Breaks in UT
Employees may think they can take paid rest breaks or unpaid meal breaks at any time during their shifts as long as they are assigned enough work hours to qualify for breaks that day.
Employees are only allowed to take paid rest breaks after working their first 3.5 hours, and they can take a meal break only after working at least 5 hours.
Some may believe that minors do not have any special break entitlements under Utah law.
In Utah, minors must be provided with a 30-minute unpaid meal break if they work more than 5 consecutive hours and are also entitled to a 10-minute paid rest break for every 4 hours worked.
Many employees think that short breaks (less than 20 minutes) are not paid by employers.
Under federal law, if an employer provides rest breaks lasting between 5 to 20 minutes, these breaks are considered paid work time.
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Employees: Know Your Rights to Meals and Breaks in Utah
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Minors working over 5 hours are entitled to a 30-minute meal break and a 10-minute rest break.
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Breastfeeding employees are entitled to reasonable breaks and private space (not a bathroom) for up to 1 year
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Employees are protected from retaliation for asserting their rights to breaks under the law.
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Minors’ breaks are protected by Utah’s child labor laws; employers who fail to comply can face fines of up to $500 per violation.
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Utah law does not require breaks for adult employees, but any provided breaks must meet federal guidelines.
Employer Obligations for Meals and Breaks in UT
Employers in Utah must provide breaks for minors working over 5 hours, including a 30-minute meal break and a 10-minute rest break. Breastfeeding employees must be allowed reasonable breaks and a private space to express milk. For adult employees, breaks are not mandatory but must follow federal guidelines if offered. Employers must comply with both state and federal laws to ensure employee rights are upheld.
Benefits to Employees
Compliance with meal and break laws is essential for promoting employee well-being and fostering a positive work environment. Here are some key benefits to employees:
- Health and Well-Being: Breaks help reduce stress, prevent fatigue, and support overall physical health.
- Job Satisfaction: Breaks boost morale and demonstrate that employers care about employee well-being.
- Support for Nursing Mothers: Providing breaks and a private space for nursing mothers fosters an inclusive work environment and improves retention.
Benefits to Employers
While complying with break laws is a legal obligation, it also brings significant business benefits, including improved productivity, profitability, and workplace culture. Here’s why employers should comply:
- Improved Productivity: Breaks help employees recharge, leading to higher efficiency and quality of work.
- Reduced Turnover: Proper breaks reduce burnout, leading to lower absenteeism and improved retention.
- Legal Protection and Reputation: Compliance avoids costly fines and lawsuits while enhancing the company’s reputation as a fair employer.
- Financial Benefits: A stable, satisfied workforce leads to lower turnover costs and higher profitability.
Explore other labor law articles:
- Workers Compensation Laws
- Tennessee Labor Laws
- Georgia Labor Laws
- Arkansas Labor Laws
- Oklahoma Labor Laws
The Bottom Line on Utah Meal and Break Laws
Utah’s meal and break laws are designed to protect both employees and employers by ensuring fair practices around work hours and break times. While adult employees aren’t required to receive breaks, employers must provide meal and rest breaks for minors and breastfeeding employees. Compliance with these laws not only avoids legal penalties but also boosts employee morale, productivity, and retention.
For employers, following Utah’s labor laws can enhance the workplace, improve business outcomes, and reduce the risk of costly violations. For employees, it ensures their well-being and work-life balance are prioritized.
For businesses looking to stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes, Workyard’s compliance tools can help you navigate Utah’s labor laws with ease.
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Yes, it is legal for adult employees in Utah to work without breaks, as Utah law does not mandate meal or rest breaks for employees aged 18 and older. However, employers must still follow federal guidelines if breaks are offered. If a break lasts between 5 to 20 minutes, it must be paid, and meal breaks longer than 30 minutes must be unpaid, provided the employee is fully relieved of duties during that time.
No, while Utah law does not require employers to provide breaks for adult employees, it is illegal for employers to force employees to skip breaks they are entitled to. For example, if an employer offers a break, the employee has the right to take it. For minors, skipping required breaks such as the 30-minute meal break or the 10-minute rest break is a violation of state law and may result in penalties for the employer.
In Utah, adult employees are generally not required to take breaks, but if an employer offers them, the employee is entitled to take them. For minors, it is mandatory that the employer provides breaks (meal and rest) as per Utah’s labor laws. Minors cannot waive their right to breaks, and employers who fail to provide these breaks can face fines and penalties for non-compliance.
Under Utah law, meal breaks must be at least 30 minutes if provided. Employers cannot offer meal breaks shorter than 30 minutes for adult employees, as the break would no longer be considered a meal break under the law. For minors, the 30-minute meal break is required when they work more than 5 consecutive hours. However, if the employee is still working during the meal period, the break must be paid.
Rest breaks for minors in Utah are paid breaks. Utah law requires employers to give minor employees a 10-minute paid rest break for every 4 hours worked, and these breaks cannot be waived. This is in contrast to meal breaks, which are typically unpaid unless the employee is completely relieved of duties. Employers who fail to provide these breaks can face fines and penalties for non-compliance.
