Meal and Rest Break Requirements in Alabama

At a glance

Alabama's rule in practice

Alabama does not require an ordinary private employer to schedule a meal period or short rest break for an adult employee. The Department of Labor's official child-labor poster states that no breaks are required for employees age 16 and older.

The rule changes for workers age 14 or 15. Ala. Code § 25-8-38(e) requires a documented interval of at least 30 minutes for a meal or rest period before the minor works more than five hours continuously. An interval shorter than 30 minutes does not restart the continuous-work clock.

Alabama law does not say that the 30-minute minor interval is paid. Federal law therefore supplies the pay rules based on what actually happens. Under 29 C.F.R. § 785.18, short rests of 5 minutes to about 20 minutes are paid work. Under § 785.19(a), a bona fide meal ordinarily may be unpaid only when the employee is completely relieved from duty.

What trips people up

The break rule stops at age 15. Alabama's poster separately says no break is required for employees age 16 and older, even though other child-labor hour and hazardous-occupation limits may still apply to a 16- or 17-year-old.

The minor's interval must be documented and last at least 30 minutes. Two shorter pauses do not satisfy § 25-8-38(e) because a period under 30 minutes does not interrupt continuous work.

Common questions

Must an Alabama employer provide lunch on an eight-hour adult shift?

No general Alabama law requires it. The employer may still promise a meal period through its handbook, policy, collective-bargaining agreement, or employment agreement.

Can a 14- or 15-year-old work five hours without the interval?

Yes, but not more than five hours continuously. Before the work period crosses that threshold, § 25-8-38(e) requires a documented meal or rest interval of at least 30 minutes.

What can happen if the minor's break is denied?

The Department of Labor enforces the child-labor chapter. Current § 25-8-59(b) permits a civil penalty of at least $300 for a violation of § 25-8-38, and the chapter also permits misdemeanor prosecution.

Statutes and sources

• Ala. Code § 25-8-38(e). The current rule requires the documented 30-minute interval for workers age 14 or 15 and says a shorter period does not interrupt continuous work. Official code page (accessed July 12, 2026).
• Alabama Department of Labor, Child Labor Law Poster. The current official poster states both the age-14/15 interval and the no-break rule for employees age 16 and older. Official poster (accessed July 12, 2026).
• Ala. Code § 25-8-59 and 2024 Ala. Act 285. The current enforcement section permits civil penalties for violating § 25-8-38 and possible misdemeanor prosecution. The 2024 amendment took effect October 1, 2024. Official code page and enrolled act (accessed July 12, 2026).
• 29 C.F.R. §§ 785.18-.19. The current federal rules treat provided short rests as paid time and require complete relief from duty for an unpaid bona fide meal. Short rests and meals (accessed July 12, 2026).