Nebraska Labor Laws: A Complete Guide to Workplace Breaks
When it comes to labor laws, Nebraska has comprehensive regulations in place to protect employees. Employers must adhere to certain requirements, including those related to breaks and meal periods. In this article, we’ll provide a complete guide to Nebraska labor laws related to workplace breaks.
Meal Breaks
Nebraska law mandates that employees receive a meal break if they work for more than 5 consecutive hours. The break must be at least 30 minutes long, and the employee must be relieved of all duties during that time. If an employee’s job duties prevent them from being relieved of all duties during the break, the break must be paid. Employees must also receive a meal break if they work over 8 hours in a day.
Rest Breaks
While Nebraska law does not require employers to provide rest breaks, many employers choose to do so. If an employer chooses to provide rest breaks, the break must be at least 10 minutes long and should be compensated if the employee is required to remain on duty during the break.
Paid Time Off
Nebraska law does not require employers to provide paid time off (PTO), but some employers may offer it as a benefit to employees. PTO can include sick leave, vacation days, and personal days. Employers who offer PTO must follow any policies they have in place regarding accrual and usage.
Jury Duty Leave
In Nebraska, employers must allow employees time off to serve on a jury. Employers cannot discriminate against employees who serve on a jury and have the right to deduct any amount paid to the employee by the court for jury duty from the employee’s salary or wages.
Bereavement Leave
Nebraska law does not require employers to offer bereavement leave. However, some employers may choose to offer it as a benefit to employees. If an employer offers bereavement leave, they must follow any policies they have in place regarding its usage.
Parental Leave
Nebraska law does not require employers to provide parental leave, but some employers may choose to offer it as a benefit to employees. Employers who offer parental leave must follow any policies they have in place regarding its accrual and usage.
Sick Leave
Nebraska law does not require employers to provide sick leave, but some employers may choose to offer it as a benefit to employees. If an employer offers sick leave, they must follow any policies they have in place regarding its accrual and usage.
Vacation Leave
Nebraska law does not require employers to provide vacation leave, but some employers may choose to offer it as a benefit to employees. If an employer offers vacation leave, they must follow any policies they have in place regarding its accrual and usage.
Holiday Leave
Nebraska law does not require employers to provide holiday leave, but some employers may choose to offer it as a benefit to employees. If an employer offers holiday leave, they must follow any policies they have in place regarding its accrual and usage.
Final Thoughts
Nebraska labor laws related to workplace breaks and time off are designed to protect employees’ rights. Employers must adhere to certain requirements related to meal breaks and offer time off for activities like jury duty. While some employees may be entitled to paid time off as a benefit, Nebraska law does not require employers to provide PTO, sick leave, vacation days, or other types of leave. Any employer offering these types of benefits must follow any policies they have in place regarding accrual and usage. If you have questions about Nebraska labor laws related to workplace breaks and time off, speak with an employment lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected.
Quick Guide to Nebraska Labor Laws on Breaks
Nebraska Labor Law: Breaks
Nebraska labor laws on breaks are few in number and do not state that an employer needs to give breaks to a person 16 years or older who is out of high school—except for certain exemptions for assembling plants, mechanical establishments, and workshops for a 30 minute lunch break.
There are certain provisions for mothers that are breastfeeding under NE labor laws for breaks and under federal law as well, and there are federal laws for labor unions and those practicing in certain occupations. Several NE labor laws on breaks are discussed in this article.
You can find more information about Nebraska labor laws on breaks under the state’s legislature (mainly Chapter 48) or under the state’s Department of Labor (DOL). You can also research the Fair Labor Standards Act to see how certain NE labor laws on breaks are controlled by federal law.
Specific Nebraska Labor Law on Breaks for Breastfeeding
There is no specific Nebraska labor law on breaks for mothers that are breastfeeding, but employers are required to provide new mothers with breaks under federal law. Additionally, several state laws address breastfeeding and indirectly apply to NE labor laws for breaks.
For example, Bill #197 that was approved on March 10, 2011 states that a mother is allowed to breastfeed a child in any public or private location they are otherwise authorized to be. So, this bill applies to Nebraska labor laws on breaks, and under federal law, the employer is required to provide a safe and clean location for expressing breast milk.
Does Nebraska labor law on breaks require holidays, vacation, or sick time?
NE labor laws on breaks state that an employer is not entitled to provide the employee with vacation time, holidays, or even sick pay. Many employers will provide employers with such benefits to improve the efficiency within the workplace, and an employee has the right to enter into bargaining agreements with an employer according to state law and Nebraska labor laws on breaks. These NE labor laws for breaks do not apply to new parents on maternity or paternity leave.
Child Labor and NE Labor Laws for Breaks
Nebraska labor law for breaks listed above do not necessarily apply to a minor under the age of 16. Minors 16 or older operate under the same Nebraska labor laws as workers 18 or older, except that minors 16 or older may not work in certain hazardous professions.
According to NE labor laws on breaks under the state’s DOL, the following conditions apply to minors between the age of 14 and 15:
• may not work more than 8 hours a day, unless exempt from Nebraska labor laws on breaks because of working for family and/or in agriculture
• may not work more than 48 hours a week unless exempt because of Nebraska labor law for breaks
• may not work before 6:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m.
There are federal laws that overrule specific Nebraska labor law on breaks as well. If a federal law and Nebraska labor law on breaks apply in the same situation, the more restrictive law must be observed by the employer.
If an employer disregards NE labor laws on breaks for minors or any other person obligated to take breaks, there may heavy fines and penalties for such violations. If a minor is engaged in certain professions like agriculture on a family farm, some Neberaska labor laws on breaks may not apply.
