The rules for how many hours you have to work to get a lunch break depend on the country and sometimes the state or region:
- In general, if you work more than 6 hours in a day, you are entitled to a lunch or rest break. For example, in Germany, employees working more than 6 hours must take at least a 30-minute break, and if working more than 9 hours, at least 45 minutes break is mandatory
- In the UK, if you work more than 6 hours, you are entitled to an uninterrupted rest break of at least 20 minutes, which can be a tea or lunch break
. Also, if you work more than 4.5 hours, you should get a 15-minute break, and after 6 hours, a 30-minute break (which can include the first 15 minutes)
- In the US, federal law does not require employers to provide lunch or coffee breaks. However, many states have their own laws requiring breaks, often mandating a 30-minute lunch break after 5 or 6 hours of work. For example, California requires a lunch break after 5 hours, New York after 6 hours, and other states vary widely
Summary:
- Work more than 6 hours → usually entitled to at least a 20-30 minute lunch break (varies by country/state).
- Work more than 4.5 hours (UK) → entitled to a shorter break (15 minutes).
- US federal law does not mandate lunch breaks, but many states do.
Therefore, typically, you need to work around 6 hours to be entitled to a lunch break, but specific rules depend on your location and local labor laws.
