Wisconsin Required Workday Break & Meal Periods 2024
Workday Meal Periods:
REQUIRED
By Regulation
Workday Rest Periods:
No Regulation
Wisconsin has regulations describing workday meal / lunch breaks to be provided to employees, but does not mandate that employees be provided additional, shorter break periods. This page provides details about Wisconsin's meal period requirements.
Mandatory Workday Lunch / Meal Breaks in Wisconsin
While not required, the recommended meal period standard is ½ hour after 6 consecutive hours' work in factories, mechanical and mercantile establishments and certain service industries, to be given reasonably close to usual meal time or near middle of shift.
Note: Wisconsin Has Special Regulations for Minor Employees
In addition to a general regulation requiring meal periods for employees, Wisconsin has special regulations that require meal periods for minors under age 18. These regulations, which require more frequent and / or longer meal / break periods, take precedence over the general regulations for minor employees. Learn more about Wisconsin's child labor regulations here.
Mandatory Workday Rest Periods in Wisconsin
While some states have labor regulations requiring that employees be allowed one or more workday rest periods, the Wisconsin government has no such regulations. Therefore, in Wisconsin, any breaks or rest periods are provided to employees at the discretion of the employer.
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