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Massachusetts requires at least one 30-minute meal break for any shift exceeding six hours under MGL c.149 § 100; the break is unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties; paid rest breaks are not required under state law. — Source: Mass.gov — Meal and Rest Breaks

Massachusetts break requirements

Massachusetts Meal Break Requirements

Massachusetts General Laws c.149 § 100 requires employers to provide at least one 30-minute meal break when any shift exceeds six hours. The break is unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of all work duties. Massachusetts does not mandate paid rest breaks under state law.

Scope: This tool determines when a meal break is required based on shift length. It does not determine whether exemptions apply, whether a specific break was compliant, or whether a waiver agreement is valid in your industry.

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Massachusetts meal break rule

MGL c.149 § 100 requires every employer to provide at least one 30-minute meal break during any work shift that exceeds six hours. This break must be provided even if the nature of the work is such that an uninterrupted break is inconvenient. The break is unpaid only when the employee is completely relieved of all duties during that time.

Entitlement determination

Shift ≤ 6 hours → No meal break required Shift > 6 hours → 1 unpaid 30-minute meal break required

Paid rest breaks — not required by state law

Massachusetts does not require employers to provide paid rest breaks. If an employer voluntarily provides short breaks (generally 20 minutes or fewer), federal FLSA typically requires those to be paid, but Massachusetts law does not independently impose that obligation. This is a meaningful difference from states like Colorado (COMPS Order) or Nevada (NRS 608.019) that explicitly require paid rest breaks.

Waiver rules

In certain industries, employees and employers may reach written agreements to waive the meal period. However, waiver is not broadly available — some sectors (e.g., certain health care positions) may have stricter rules under MGL c.149 § 100A or applicable industry regulations. A written waiver agreement must be genuinely voluntary.

What this does not determine

Sources and verification

Rules are drawn from MGL c.149 § 100 (Massachusetts Legislature) and the Mass.gov meal and rest break guidance. Enforced by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Fair Labor Division. Missed meal breaks may be reported at mass.gov/how-to/file-a-wage-complaint.