When is a lunch break required in Kentucky?

KRS 337.355 requires a reasonable lunch period (generally 30 minutes) when an employee works a shift that spans the normal lunch hour or a substantial portion of the day — typically shifts over five hours that span the midday meal time.

Is Kentucky's lunch break paid?

The lunch period under KRS 337.355 is unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties. If the employee is required to remain at the work area or be available, the time must be compensated.

Is there a premium for a missed break in Kentucky?

Kentucky law does not provide an automatic premium-pay remedy for a missed break. Employees may file a wage claim with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet.

State

StateAll Kentucky tools

Kentucky requires at least one paid 10-minute rest period for each four hours worked under KRS 337.365, and a reasonable lunch period when a shift spans the normal meal hour under KRS 337.355. — Source: Kentucky Labor Cabinet

Kentucky break requirements

Kentucky Meal and Rest Break Requirements

Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 337 establishes two separate break rights: a paid 10-minute rest period for each four hours worked under KRS 337.365, and a reasonable lunch break when the shift spans the normal lunch hour under KRS 337.355. Enter your shift length to see the entitlements.

Scope: This tool estimates break entitlements based on hours worked. It does not determine whether actual breaks provided were compliant, whether exemptions apply, or whether break time must be paid in specific circumstances.

Enter your shift hours

Kentucky's two break statutes

KRS 337.365 — Rest periods: Every employer must provide a rest period of at least 10 minutes for each four hours worked, or major fraction thereof. These breaks are paid and count as time worked. Employers may not require employees to work through a required rest period.

KRS 337.355 — Lunch period: Every employer shall provide a reasonable lunch period of at least 30 minutes when the shift spans the normal period for the midday meal. For most employees, this means shifts over five hours that overlap the noon-hour range. The lunch period is unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of all duties. If the employee must remain at their workstation or on call, the time is compensable.

Entitlement formula

Paid rest breaks (KRS 337.365) = floor(hours ÷ 4) Lunch break (KRS 337.355) = 1 if shift > 5 hrs and spans midday meal

Worked example

Eight-hour midday shift

Hours worked = 8 Rest breaks (KRS 337.365) = floor(8 ÷ 4) = 2 paid 10-min breaks Lunch (KRS 337.355) = 1 unpaid 30-min period (shift > 5 hrs)

Difference from California's premium-pay rule

California Labor Code § 226.7 imposes a one-hour premium for each missed break — a remedy that is specific to California. Kentucky's statutes (KRS 337.355 and KRS 337.365) do not provide an equivalent automatic premium-pay remedy. Kentucky employees with missed breaks may pursue a wage claim through the Kentucky Labor Cabinet.

What this does not determine

Whether actual breaks provided were timely, of sufficient duration, or free from duties.
Whether your employer, industry, or role is exempt from KRS 337.355 or 337.365.
Whether a collective-bargaining agreement or employer policy provides more generous benefits.
Overtime, minimum wage, final paycheck, or other rights under KRS Chapter 337.

Sources and verification

Break requirements are drawn from KRS 337.355 (lunch period) and KRS 337.365 (rest periods), enforced by the Kentucky Labor Cabinet. No automatic premium-pay remedy for a missed break exists under Kentucky law.