Are employers obligated to provide breaks and meal periods?

Yes, employers in Texas are obligated to provide breaks and meal periods. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) states that employers must provide an "uninterrupted meal period of at least 30 minutes to employees who are required to work more than five (5) hours in a workday." In addition to providing meal periods, employers must also provide rest periods, according to the TWC, to employees who are required to work more than three and one-half (3½) consecutive hours. The rest periods must be for a minimum of 10 minutes for each four hours (or major fraction thereof) worked. Furthermore, employers must pay employees for breaks of 20 minutes or less. If the break is longer than 20 minutes, the employer is not required to pay the employee for that time. However, the employee must be completely relieved from duty during the break. In conclusion, employers in Texas are obligated to provide breaks and meal periods according to state law. Employees must be provided with a 30-minute uninterrupted meal period after working more than five hours in a day, and they must be provided with 10-minute rest periods every four hours worked. For breaks of 20 minutes or less, employees must be paid.

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