Meal, Rest, and Lactation Break Policy

Summary

This template is a policy that informs employees of their right to take rest and meal periods and shares the employer's expectations with respect to these periods. Employers should also inform all employees about their policies on accommodating nursing parents in compliance with applicable laws. This template includes practical guidance, drafting notes, and an alternate clause. For more information on drafting meal, rest, and lactation break policies, see Rest Break and Meal Period Policies (Including Break Time for Nursing Mothers): Key Drafting Tips. For state laws on meal periods and rest breaks, see Meal Period and Rest Break State Law Survey. For state-specific meal and rest break policies, see the Attendance, Leaves, and Breaks column of Employment Policies State Expert Forms and Checklists Chart. For a full listing of key content covering employee handbook considerations, see Employee Handbook Resource Kit. [>] Video. For video guidance on wage and hour issues related to meal and rest breaks, see Wage and Hour: Meal and Rest Breaks Video. [>] Video. For practice quick tips on responding to claims for unpaid off-the-clock time, see Wage and Hour Claims Defense: Responding to Claims for Unpaid Off-the-Clock Time Video.