Employers often have questions regarding paying or not paying for Breaks & Lunches.  Rule of thumb: 20 minutes or less = Paid & more than 20 minutes = UnPaid. According to the US DOL Wage and Hour Division Fact Sheet #22: “Rest periods of short duration, usually 20 minutes or less are customarily paid for as working time. These short periods must be counted as hours worked. Bona fide meal periods (typically 30 minutes or more) generally need not be compensated as work time. The employee must be completely relieved from duty for the purpose of eating regular meals. The employee is not relieved if he/she is required to perform any duties, whether active or inactive, while eating.” If you have questions or concerns regarding time for breaks and meals, please contact your HR/Client Services Representative.