How are breaks and overtime calculated?

In Washington, both breaks and overtime are governed by the federal wage and hour law, known as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This law requires employers to provide employees with a 10-minute break for every four hours of work and an additional 30-minute unpaid break, when working more than five hours in a day. When calculating overtime, employers must compensate their employees at a rate of one and a half times their normal wage rate for any hours worked over forty in one workweek. This workweek can differ from the normal seven-day week, as long as it is a regularly recurring period of 168 hours long (7 days x 24 hours). Minimum wage standards also apply when calculating overtime and employers must pay at least the current state or federal minimum wage, whichever rate is greater. If an employer violates these laws, the employee may be entitled to damages which could include back wages, liquidated damages, or other court costs and penalties. It is important for both employers and employees to understand their rights and obligations under the FLSA.

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How are breaks and overtime calculated?

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