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 Washington State, employers are required to provide employees with rest breaks and meal periods based on the number of hours worked. State law mandates that employees must receive a paid rest break of at least 10 minutes for every four hours worked. These breaks should be provided no later than the end of the third hour of the shift. Additionally, employees are entitled to a meal period of at least 30 minutes for shifts exceeding five hours. This meal period must be provided between the second and fifth hour of the shift and is generally unpaid unless the employee is required to remain on duty. For minors, Washington has more stringent requirements, ensuring that they receive adequate breaks and meal periods, and when there are conflicting provisions, the more protective standard applies. While federal law does not require meal or coffee breaks, it does require that short breaks, if offered by the employer, be counted as compensable work hours. However, bona fide meal periods, which are typically 30 minutes or more, are not considered work time and are not paid, unless the employee's freedom is restricted during the meal period.