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.
Oregon employees who work a shift that is six to eight hours long are entitled to a 30-minute meal break, unpaid. This break must be provided between the second and fifth hour of work for employees whose shift is seven hours or less; employees who work longer shifts must receive their meal break between the third and sixth hour of work.
If the nature of the employee's job precludes the employer from allowing a break from all duties, the employer may provide an on-duty break. And, if the employer can show that industry custom or practice is to allow a shorter meal break, the employer may provide a break of at least 20 minutes. In either case, however, the employer must pay the employee for this time.
In Oregon, you are entitled to take a ten-minute rest break, with pay, for every four hours (or major fraction of four hours) you work. Your employer must allow you to take your break in the middle of that work period, if practicable.
You are entitled to separate rest breaks: They may not be added to your meal breaks or subtracted at the start or finish of your shift to shorten your work day.