How many breaks should I get in a 9 hour shift?
Asked by: Talon Dibbert | Last update: February 5, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (69 votes)
For a 9-hour shift, you're typically entitled to two paid 10-minute rest breaks and one unpaid 30-minute meal break, especially under California law, but federal law doesn't mandate breaks, so it varies by state and company policy, often including short paid breaks and a longer unpaid lunch. A 9-hour shift falls into the 6.01 to 10-hour range for California's rest breaks, requiring two, plus the meal break.
How many breaks do you get in a 9 hour shift?
Non-exempt employees are entitled to one 30-minute meal break for a shift longer than five hours. And a second 30-minute meal break for a shift longer than ten hours. Non-exempt employees are entitled to a ten-minute rest break for every four-hour shift they work.
What is the law in Virginia for breaks at work?
Virginia Law: No Meal or Rest Breaks Required
Employers in Virginia must follow the federal rules explained above. In other words, although breaks are not required, employers must pay employees for time they spend working and for shorter breaks during the day.
How many breaks should I get on a 9 hour shift?
For most adult workers: Rest Break During Work (Lunch / Rest Break): Employees working more than 6 hours in a day are entitled to a minimum 20 minute uninterrupted rest break during their working day. This can be a lunch or coffee break, and it “must be taken in one go.”
What breaks do you get for a 9 hour shift?
If they work a long day, say 9–11 hours, they're entitled to two paid 10-minute rest breaks and one unpaid 30–60 minute meal break.
How long can we drive for? HGV Driving Hours Explained.
How many breaks should I get for working 9 hours?
Basic rules
An employee is entitled to one 30-minute paid or unpaid break after the first 5 hours of work for shifts that are between 5 and 10 hours long. For shifts 10 hours or longer, an employee is entitled to two 30-minute breaks.
Is it illegal to not take lunch breaks?
California Penalties for Lunch & Rest Break Violations
California lunch break laws impose strict penalties, requiring employers to pay workers one additional hour of wages at their regular rate for each day a mandatory lunch break is denied or interrupted.
Is a 9 hour shift legal?
California: Over 8 hours in a day = overtime. Over 12 hours in a day = double time. 7th consecutive day worked = overtime all day.
Is lunch part of your 8 hours?
Most places consider 9-5 to be 8 hours (lunch and coffee breaks count towards the total). If we accept this convention, your workers are technically there for 9 hours a day for 4 days and 4 hours on Friday.
Are 9 hour shifts common?
Employees commonly work nine hours in a day, but the start times can vary, providing a sense of adaptability and work-life balance.
How many hours can you work in VA without a break?
There are no required breaks in a 6-hour shift in Virginia for adults over 18.
Are breaks supposed to be 15 minutes?
You are entitled to a 15-minute break if your employer chooses to provide short rest breaks (5-20 mins), as federal law (FLSA) requires these to be paid and counted as work hours, but federal law doesn't mandate breaks; however, some states do require paid 15-minute breaks, so your entitlement depends on your location, with California, Illinois, and Ohio being examples with specific requirements, while others like Florida and Maryland also have break laws, so always check your state's Department of Labor.
How many breaks for an 8hr shift?
Generally, employees working an 8-hour shift would be entitled to at least one rest break (10 minutes) and one meal break (30-60 minutes).
How many breaks do I get in an 8hr shift?
If you work at least 3 ½ hours in a day, you are entitled to one rest break. If you work over 6 hours, you are entitled to a second rest break. If you work over 10 hours, you are entitled to a third rest break. To the extent possible rest breaks must be in the middle of each work period.
How do I make the most of my breaks?
Coast to reduce speed. If cars are braking ahead, ease your foot off the gas and coast until you need to apply the brakes. Reducing your speed beforehand can reduce the amount of friction your brakes need to slow the car, thereby reducing premature wear. Hover over the brake pedal.
What is Virginia law on lunch breaks?
Virginia law generally doesn't require meal or rest breaks for adult private employees, but if offered, breaks under 20 minutes must be paid, and 30+ minute meal breaks can be unpaid if the employee is fully relieved of duties; specific rules exist for minors (under 16 need a 30-min lunch after 5 hours) and some public sector jobs, plus federal laws apply for nursing mothers and disabilities.
Can you work 8 hours straight without break?
Yes, for an 8-hour shift, you are usually entitled to at least one meal break and potentially shorter rest breaks, but federal law doesn't mandate them; it depends heavily on your state laws or specific employer/union agreements, with rules varying significantly, like California requiring meal breaks plus rest periods, while some states like Arizona require none. Federal law only requires short rest breaks (under 20 mins) to be paid if offered, while meal breaks (30+ mins) can be unpaid if you're fully relieved of duty.
What's the longest you can legally work without a break?
Legally, how long you can work without a break depends on your location, as the U.S. federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) doesn't require meal or rest breaks, but many states do, with rules varying from requiring a 30-minute meal break for shifts over 5-6 hours (like California or Illinois) to mandating paid 10-minute breaks every 4 hours (like Colorado). Federal law only mandates paid short breaks (5-20 mins) if provided, and unpaid meal breaks (30+ mins) if they relieve you of duties, while state laws often offer stronger protections, especially for minors.
What is the 8 and 80 rule?
The "8/80 rule" refers to an overtime exception in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for certain healthcare facilities, allowing them to pay overtime (1.5x regular rate) for hours over 8 in a workday or 80 in a 14-day period, rather than the standard 40-hour workweek rule, provided there's an agreement with employees. It's an alternative to the typical overtime calculation, offering scheduling flexibility for hospitals and residential care, but it requires strict adherence to the 14-day period and prohibits using both systems for one employee.
What is the 7 minute rule for clocking in?
To calculate time using the 7-minute rounding rule: Look at the minutes past the quarter-hour. If it's 0-7 minutes, round down to the quarter-hour. If it's 8-14 minutes, round up to the next quarter-hour. For example, 8:07 AM rounds to 8:00 AM, while 8:08 AM rounds to 8:15 AM.
Is $2 an hour legal?
The United States federal government requires a wage of at least $2.13 per hour be paid to employees who receive at least $30 per month in tips. If wages and tips do not equal the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour during any week, the employer is required to increase cash wages to compensate.
Can you get fired for taking long breaks?
The only way your employer is justified is if your break puts others at risk, there's no possible way to accommodate you, or your work performance is greatly affected.
Am I entitled to be paid for my lunch break?
Payment for breaks is not a statutory entitlement.
Can a manager stop you from taking a break?
In many circumstances, your employer has the right to deny you short breaks during your shift. However, if you think your employer might be violating labor laws, such as by forcing you to work through your lunch break, you might be able to take legal action.
Do you get two breaks on a 9 hour shift?
If you work at least 3.5 hours in a day, you are entitled to one rest break. If you work over 6 hours, you are entitled to a second rest break. If you work over 10 hours, you are entitled to a third rest break. Rest breaks must to the extent possible be in the middle of each work period.