Is working 13 hours a day illegal?
Asked by: Dr. Dortha Auer | Last update: February 12, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (51 votes)
Working 13 hours a day isn't inherently illegal in the U.S. at the federal level for adults, as the Link: FLSA https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/compliance-assistance/handy-reference-guide-flsa} (Fair Labor Standards Act) doesn't cap daily hours; instead, it mandates overtime pay (1.5x) for non-exempt workers over 40 hours weekly, but state laws (like California's) can add daily overtime or require breaks, and stricter rules apply to minors or specific industries (trucking, etc.).
Is it okay to work 13 hours a day?
Is there a limit to how much I can work each day? Yes. You should get 11 hours consecutive rest each day. This means your working day should not be more than 13 hours long in each 24-hour period that you are working for your employer.
What is the longest shift you can legally work in a day?
Generally, no, there are no federal laws that limit how many hours you can work in a single day. (Though some state labor laws have maximum hour laws for minors.)
Is it illegal to work 13 hours a day?
The standard workday in California is eight hours. Non-exempt employees typically cannot exceed 40 hours per week without receiving overtime pay. Therefore, the answer to "how many hours can you work in a day" is usually eight, unless specified otherwise in an employment contract.
What's the most hours you can legally work?
In the U.S., there's generally no federal limit to how many hours adults (16+) can work, but the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime (1.5x pay) for hours over 40 per week, with exceptions for certain jobs (like pilots, truck drivers) and strict rules for minors. State laws, specific industries, and contracts can add rules, like mandatory breaks or rest periods between shifts, affecting maximum hours.
Just Work Six Days A Week!
Is working 12 hours a day too much?
1 - Increased Fatigue and Health Risks
One of the major concerns with working 12-hour shifts is the potential for fatigue and its associated health risks. Longer shifts, particularly night shifts, can take a toll on workers' physical and mental well-being.
Can I work 75 hours a week?
Your employer cannot make you work longer than an average of 48 hours a week. If you do work longer, you should discuss reducing your hours with your manager or signing an opt-out agreement.
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.
How to survive a 13 hour shift?
14 ways to cope with working long hours
- Create a to-do list. To prepare for a long day at work, you may start by creating a detailed to-do list. ...
- Time block your day. ...
- Use automation tools. ...
- Take breaks. ...
- Limit distractions. ...
- Reward yourself. ...
- Eat a healthy snack. ...
- Drink water.
How many hours does OSHA allow you to work in a day?
A normal work shift is generally considered to be a work period of no more than eight consecutive hours during the day, five days a week with at least an eight-hour rest.
What are the consequences of overworking?
Overworking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, as well as affecting mental health. Physical and mental strain of the overworked people can start from acute physiological responses such as fatigue, stress, impaired sleep, and unhealthy lifestyle changes in response to the stress.
Can you work a 14-hour shift?
These regulations mandate daily and weekly rest periods, though they do not explicitly prohibit 14-hour shifts. A worker is generally entitled to: 11 hours of rest between working days. 24 hours of uninterrupted rest per week, or 48 hours per fortnight.
What is the 3 3 3 rule for working?
The 3-3-3 rule for working, popularized by Oliver Burkeman, is a time management method that breaks your workday into three main blocks: three hours for deep focus on your most important project, followed by three hours for shorter, urgent tasks (like emails, calls), and ending with three hours on routine maintenance activities (admin, planning). This technique provides structure, prevents burnout by saving simple tasks for later, and ensures progress on major goals while staying on top of daily necessities, creating a balanced and productive day.
What is the longest a shift can legally be?
In the U.S., there's no federal limit on the number of hours an adult (16+) can work in a day or week, but state laws, industry rules (like for nurses or transport), and union contracts often add restrictions, with some states (like CA, NV) requiring daily overtime and specific sectors (healthcare) having caps, while OSHA notes fatigue concerns for very long shifts.
How long does Gen Z stay at a job?
Gen Z tends to stay at jobs for shorter periods, with averages often cited around 1 to 2 years, significantly less than older generations, driven by a focus on career growth, better work-life balance, and company values, though some recent research suggests economic factors play a large role, and many view early jobs as short-term "situationships" for skill-building rather than disloyalty.
What is OT for $20 an hour?
For someone earning $20 an hour, standard overtime (time-and-a-half) is $30 per hour ($20 x 1.5) for hours worked over 40 in a week, calculated as your base pay plus 50% extra for those overtime hours, with state laws sometimes requiring daily overtime or higher rates for weekends/holidays.
What are the longest hours you can legally work?
In the U.S., there's generally no federal limit to how many hours adults (16+) can work, but the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime (1.5x pay) for hours over 40 per week, with exceptions for certain jobs (like pilots, truck drivers) and strict rules for minors. State laws, specific industries, and contracts can add rules, like mandatory breaks or rest periods between shifts, affecting maximum hours.
What is the new overtime rule 2025?
New overtime rules for 2025 primarily involve a temporary federal tax deduction for the "premium" part of overtime pay (the extra half-time), introduced by the "One Big Beautiful Bill," allowing workers to deduct up to $12,500 (or $25,000 for joint filers) from taxable income for tax years 2025-2028, with income phase-outs, while the Department of Labor also implemented higher FLSA salary thresholds for overtime exemption, increasing to $58,656 annually as of January 1, 2025.
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 harassment in the workplace?
Workplace harassment is unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic (like race, sex, religion, disability) that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment, or interferes with a person's job performance. It includes offensive jokes, slurs, name-calling, threats, intimidation, unwanted physical contact, or interfering with work. For conduct to be unlawful, it must typically be severe or pervasive enough to alter job conditions, though it can also happen through quid proquo situations (demands for favors).
Is 100 hours a week legal?
For adult employees, there is no legal limit to the number of hours that one can work per week, but the Fair Labor Standards Act dictates standards for overtime pay in both the private and public sectors.
How many hours is 9 to 5 a day?
US work culture revolves around employees putting in eight hours a day, five days a week — a schedule immortalized by Dolly Parton in her 1980 song “9 to 5.” It's just the norm, many assume. Same as it ever was. Except, it wasn't always so.
What is constructive dismissal?
Constructive dismissal is when you're forced to leave your job against your will because of your employer's conduct. The reasons you leave your job must be serious, for example, they: do not pay you or suddenly demote you for no reason.