The New Jersey Assembly is considering a bill (A2560) that will amend the State Wage and Hour Law, to require employers to grant work and meal breaks to their employees.
If Bill A2560 becomes law, it will require New Jersey employers to grant at least a 30-minute unpaid meal break to employees who work for more than six hours straight, and at least one 15-minute paid rest break to employees who work for more than four hours straight.
Currently, New Jersey law does not require employers to provide rest breaks to employees, regardless of work hours. It does, however, require employers to provide at least a 30-minute unpaid lunch break to minors, under child labor law.
There are no Federal labor or employment laws that require employers to grant work or meal breaks to employees.
However, if employers voluntarily grant work or meal breaks in states without related law provisions to regulate them, then the breaks are at least somewhat regulated by the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). See Work Breaks and Meals (also linked above) for more information.
