Indiana is one of the states in the US that does not have specific provisions regarding break laws. As employers are not required to provide breaks, employees are protected by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Having no state laws regarding breaks does not negate their importance. Hence, employers can offer breaks.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the regulations regarding Indiana break laws. Both employers and employees should understand and comply with such laws to create a safe and productive workplace.
This article covers:
- Rest Breaks in Indiana
- Meal Breaks in Indiana
- Break Exemption in Indiana
- Breastfeeding Breaks in Indiana
- Break Obligations for Minor Employees in Indiana
Rest Breaks in Indiana
No state law in Indiana requires employers to provide their employees with rest breaks for coffee or restroom use. However, if the employer decides to provide rest breaks, they should be mindful that any breaks lasting less than 20 minutes must be compensated.
Meal Breaks in Indiana
There are no state laws in Indiana mandating employers to provide meal breaks to employees. However, Indiana employers have the discretion to offer meal breaks. Employers must note that meal periods lasting 30 minutes or more are not counted as time worked and are not compensated.
Break Exemption in Indiana
The only exception to Indiana break laws is for employees under 18 years of age who work 6 or more consecutive hours.
Breastfeeding Breaks in Indiana
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Protections to Pump at Work requires employers to provide reasonable break time for employees who need to express breast milk for their nursing child. Employees are eligible for a breastfeeding break for one year after the child’s birth.
Furthermore, according to Indiana Code § 22-2-14-2, employers who have 25 employees or more should provide a private room, other than a bathroom stall, for nursing employees to express their breast milk. The private room should have a refrigerator or cold storage for keeping expressed breast milk.
Break Obligations for Minor Employees in Indiana
According to Indiana’s Teen Break Law, employees under the age of 18 who work for six or more consecutive hours must receive one or two breaks totaling 30 minutes.
Learn more about Indiana Labor Laws through our detailed guide.
Important Cautionary Note
This content is provided for informational purposes only. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, we cannot guarantee that it is free of errors or omissions. Users are advised to independently verify any critical information and should not solely rely on the content provided.
