Workers in Washington are protected by clear rules about rest and meal breaks. Fortunately, your Washington DC wage claim lawyer can help. At Eric Siegel Law, we’ve spent over 30 years helping clients with wage claim and employment cases. To prepare yourself ahead of time, there are steps you can take to recover your pay and protect yourself from future issues.
What The Law Says About Meal Breaks
In Washington, the law requires a 30-minute meal break for anyone working more than five hours in a shift. This break should be unpaid and duty-free, meaning you’re not expected to do any work during that time. If your shift is longer than 10 hours, a second 30-minute meal break must be given.
When Breaks Are Legally Missed
There are very limited situations where an employee might agree to waive a break. In those cases, the break can only be missed if both sides agree, and it still must follow wage and hour rules. However, this does not allow an employer to regularly skip breaks or pressure workers to stay on the clock.
Common Examples Of Violations
We often hear from workers who were expected to eat at their desks, take calls during lunch, or skip meals altogether to meet deadlines. In some cases, break times are scheduled but workloads are so heavy that people simply can’t take them. At this point, having someone who knows how to handle wage disputes (like an employment litigation lawyer) can make it easier to move forward.
How Violations Affect Your Paycheck
If you’re not given the proper break time or are forced to work through a meal period, that time may count as unpaid work. Over time, even short break violations can add up. In some cases, missed breaks may also result in unpaid overtime if the total work hours go beyond 40 per week.
Washington law is worker-friendly in this area. If violations are found, employees may be entitled to back pay and other damages. These claims can often cover several years of missed or shorted breaks, depending on how long the violations have been happening.
What To Do If You’re Affected
If you think your employer may have violated break laws, start by keeping track of your work schedule and breaks. Make notes about when you were unable to take a proper meal break and what happened during those times. If possible, save any messages, emails, or timesheets that back up your claim. An hourly wage claim lawyer can help you file a formal complaint or even take the matter to court, if needed.
How We Can Help
If you’ve been denied proper breaks or think your employer may be cutting corners on meal time, we’re here to help. Talking to a wage claim lawyer can give you a clearer idea of what your rights are and what steps to consider next. At Eric Siegel Law, we help workers who are dealing with wage delays, unpaid overtime, and other pay-related issues. Whether it’s a missed paycheck, discrimination, or employer misconduct, we’re ready to assist you. Reach out to us today to get started.