What are the rules for breaks and meal periods?

In North Carolina, labor and employment rules for breaks and meal periods are the same regardless of the size of the employer. Employers must provide their employees with a break or meal period for every four hours of work. Break periods must be at least 10 minutes long, while meal periods must be at least 30 minutes long. Both types of breaks should take place in the middle of a work period, if at all possible. Employees are entitled to break periods for every four hours of work they perform; however, if the work period is less than four hours, no break is required. Meal periods should take place at least two hours into an employee’s shift. Employers are not required to pay employees for their breaks and meal periods, but employees must be free to use the break time as they wish. Employers may not require employees to answer phones or perform any other tasks during their breaks and meal periods. Furthermore, employers must make sure that employees do not work more than five consecutive hours without taking a break. Employers in North Carolina must adhere to these rules regarding breaks and meal periods to ensure their employees have the proper amount of rest time throughout the day.

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