Meal and Rest Break Laws in Wisconsin
Whether Wisconsin law requires meal or rest breaks for adult employees.
Short answer: No state requirement for workers 18 and older (the state encourages a 30-minute lunch break). Any authorized break shorter than 30 consecutive minutes counts as paid work time. DWD Labor Standards guidance
| Meal and rest breaks | No state requirement for workers 18 and older (the state encourages a 30-minute lunch break). Any authorized break shorter than 30 consecutive minutes counts as paid work time. Workers under 18 must get a 30-minute duty-free meal period for every six consecutive hours worked. Source: DWD Labor Standards guidance |
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Where to get help in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Equal Rights Division, Labor Standards Bureau
- File a complaint or claim
More Wisconsin employment law
- Minimum Wage in Wisconsin
- Final Paycheck Laws in Wisconsin
- Wrongful Termination in Wisconsin
- Non-Compete Agreements in Wisconsin
- All Wisconsin employment law rules
FAQ
Are breaks required by law in Wisconsin?
No state requirement for workers 18 and older (the state encourages a 30-minute lunch break). Any authorized break shorter than 30 consecutive minutes counts as paid work time. Workers under 18 must get a 30-minute duty-free meal period for every six consecutive hours worked.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.