State laws (statutes and regulations) generally govern the number and length of breaks and meal periods employers must provide employees—usually based on the number of consecutive hours the employee has worked that day. These laws vary from state to state and many states have separate provisions requiring meal periods specifically for minors (when minors are covered by two provisions, employer must observe the higher standard).

Federal law does not require lunch or coffee breaks for employees, but if employers do offer short breaks (usually lasting about 5 to 20 minutes) federal law considers the breaks compensable work hours that must be included in the number of hours worked when calculating overtime pay. Unauthorized extensions of authorized work breaks need not be counted as hours worked when the employer has expressly and unambiguously communicated to the employee that the authorized break may only last for a specific length of time, that any extension of the break is contrary to the employer's rules, and that any extension of the break will be punished. Bona fide meal periods (typically lasting at least 30 minutes) serve a different purpose than coffee or snack breaks, are not work time, and are not compensable.

In Maine, state laws require employers to provide a 30-minute break to employees who work 6 consecutive hours or more in a workday. This break can be unpaid, and employees must be completely relieved of all duties during this time. If the nature of the work allows employees to take frequent breaks during the workday, this requirement may not apply. For minors, Maine law stipulates that employees under the age of 18 must receive a 30-minute break after working 6 consecutive hours. Federal law does not mandate meal or coffee breaks, but if an employer offers short breaks (5 to 20 minutes), they are considered compensable and must be included in the total hours worked for overtime calculations. Meal periods of at least 30 minutes are not considered work time and are not paid, provided the employee is free from duties. Employers in Maine must adhere to these regulations to ensure compliance with both state and federal laws regarding employee breaks and meal periods.