Believe it or not, employers in many states have no legal obligation to give their employees any breaks during the work day. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require employers to provide any breaks, and many states follow the same rule. Other states require employers to provide rest breaks, meal breaks, or both.
A small number of states require employers to provide paid rest breaks during the work day.
Washington employers must provide a 30-minute meal break to employees who work more than five consecutive hours. This break may not take place within the employee's first two hours of work, nor after the employee has worked five hours. The break is unpaid unless the employee is required to remain on site.
Employees are entitled to an additional 30-minute break if they are required to work three hours or more beyond their usual shift.
In Washington, you are entitled to take a ten-minute rest break, with pay, for every four hours you work. Your employer must allow you to take your break in the middle of that work period, if practicable. You may not be required to work more than three hours without a rest break.