What are the requirements for meal and rest periods?

In Louisiana, there are specific requirements regarding meal and rest periods for employees. The Louisiana Wage and Hour Law requires that employers provide meal periods of at least 30 minutes to any employee that is eligible for overtime pay and who works over 5 hours a day. This meal period must be provided no later than 5 hours into the shift and cannot be waived by the employee. Employees who work more than 10 hours a day and are entitled to overtime pay must be provided with a second meal period of at least 30 minutes, which must be provided no later than 10 hours into the shift. As with the first meal period, this cannot be waived by the employee. In addition, the Louisiana Wage and Hour Law requires employers to provide paid rest periods, or breaks, of at least 10 minutes to employees who work more than 4 hours in a shift. These rest periods must be provided no later than every 4 hours of work. Again, the employee cannot waive his or her right to a rest period. Finally, employers must provide adequate time for employees to eat their meals and take their rest periods. This time must be given away from the employee’s work area and should not be used for any other purpose.

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