Arkansas Labor Laws Breaks: Understanding Your Rights
As an employee in Arkansas, you have the right to specific breaks and rest periods that are mandated by law. However, many workers are unaware of their rights when it comes to breaks and rest periods, or they may feel intimidated to take advantage of those rights because of pressure from their employers. It’s important to understand what your rights are and how you can protect them.
In this article, we’ll explore Arkansas labor laws breaks in detail, covering the types of breaks you’re entitled to, how long they should be, and under what circumstances your employer can deny them. We’ll also explain what you can do if your rights are violated, and provide you with helpful resources for further information.
Meal Breaks
In Arkansas, non-exempt employees who work six or more consecutive hours are entitled to an unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes. This break should take place no later than the end of the fifth hour of work. If your workday lasts for eight or more consecutive hours, you are entitled to a second unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes, which must start no earlier than three and no later than five hours after the end of your first meal break.
It’s important to note that your employer is not required to pay you for your meal break, so you won’t be compensated for this time. However, you are entitled to take this break, and your employer cannot retaliate against you in any way for doing so.
Rest Breaks
In addition to meal breaks, Arkansas labor laws breaks also require that employers give their non-exempt employees at least a 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked. These rest breaks must be paid, which means you should be compensated for this time.
Your employer is not required to give you these breaks if you work less than three and a half hours at a time. However, if you work for a longer period, you are entitled to at least one rest break of 10 minutes, and potentially more depending on how long you work.
Exceptions to the Rules
There are some exceptions to Arkansas labor laws breaks. For example, exempt employees, who are not eligible for overtime pay, are not entitled to meal or rest breaks. Additionally, some industries, such as healthcare, may have different break requirements due to the nature of their work.
Your employer may also deny you a break if doing so would cause an undue hardship, such as during a critical moment in a production line or for a medical emergency. However, these situations should be rare and should be documented by your employer.
What to Do if Your Rights Are Violated
If you believe that your employer is violating your rights under Arkansas labor laws breaks, there are a few steps you can take to address the situation. First, be sure to document when and how your rights were violated, as well as any attempts you made to resolve the issue with your employer.
You can also file a complaint with the Arkansas Department of Labor, which investigates alleged violations of labor laws breaks. You can contact them by phone at 1-800-232-0739 or by submitting a complaint form online through their website.
In addition, you may want to consult with an experienced employment lawyer who can advise you on your legal options and help you take action to protect your rights.
Conclusion
As an employee in Arkansas, it’s important to understand your rights when it comes to breaks and rest periods. Under Arkansas labor laws breaks, you are entitled to meal and rest breaks for certain periods of work, and your employer cannot retaliate against you for taking them.
If you believe that your rights have been violated, there are several steps you can take to address the situation and protect yourself. Reach out to the Arkansas Department of Labor and consider consulting with a qualified employment lawyer who can guide you through the process and help you seek justice and compensation.
By understanding your rights and taking action to protect them, you can ensure that you are treated fairly and respectfully in your workplace.
Quick Guide to Arkansas Labor Laws on Breaks
Arkansas Labor Laws: Breaks
Like federal labor laws, Arkansas labor law on breaks provides no specified breaks for employees over the age of 18. Employers are often encouraged to provide employees over the age of 18 with breaks to improve workplace efficiency, and a break less than 20 minutes need paid under federal law. If an employer provides an employee with a lunch break of 30 minutes or more, the employer does not need to provide wages according to Arkansas labor laws on breaks.
There are certain exceptions to the lack of Arkansas labor law on breaks, and information about new mothers and child labor will be discussed within the rest of this article.
Arkansas Labor Laws: Breaks for Nursing Mothers and Breastfeeding
A specific Arkansas labor law on breaks is provided within section 11-5-116 of the state’s revised code. Under this section of law, “an employer shall provide reasonable unpaid break time each day to an employee who needs to express breast milk for her child in order to maintain milk supply and comfort.” There are other provisions to this Arkansas labor law on breaks as well:
• the break, if possible, should run concurrently with any other paid or unpaid breaks already given to the employee by the employer
• the employer needs to make reasonable effort to provide a private, secure, and clean room apart from the normal work area—other than toilet stall—where the employee can express her breast milk
• the location of the room may include the employee’s normal work space if the workspace meets the requirements of this section
• this section does not apply if the situation would create hardships on the operations of the employer
Arkansas Labor Laws: Breaks for Minors
There are different Arkansas labor laws on breaks for children under the age of 16 and minors between 16 and 17. If the minor is less than 16 years older, the child cannot:
• work more than six days in any week
• work more than 48 hours in any week
• work more than 8 hours during any day
• work before 6:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. except on nonschool days in which they may work until 9:00 p.m.
If the minor is 16 or 17, there are several differences in Arkansas labor law on breaks. The child cannot work:
• more than 6 days a week
• more than 54 hours in any week
• more than 10 consecutive hours in any day
• more than 10 hours in any 24 hour period
• Before 6:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m. or until 12:00 a.m. on nights preceding nonschool days
There are numerous other provisions of Arkansas labor law on breaks that apply to the hours a minor between the ages of 16 and 17 can work. For more information on child labor laws under the Department of Labor, visit the link provided.
