Maryland meal and rest break law
The short answer
Covered large retail employers (see notes) must provide a nonworking shift break of at least 15 minutes for 4 to 6 consecutive hours worked. (Maryland Healthy Retail Employee Act (DOL WHD meal period table)) If a covered retail employee works 8 consecutive hours, the employer must provide an additional nonworking shift break of at least 15 minutes for every additional 4 consecutive hours worked. (Maryland Healthy Retail Employee Act (DOL WHD meal period table)) Covered retail employers must provide a nonworking shift break of at least 30 minutes for more than 6 consecutive hours worked. (Maryland Healthy Retail Employee Act (DOL WHD meal period table))
Last verified Sep 24, 2026 · How we verify every rule
General information, not legal advice. This page is for general information only and isn’t legal, financial or tax advice. Laws vary by state and change; check the official source or talk to a qualified professional about your situation. Every rule on this page links to its official source.
Meal breaks
Do adult employees get a meal break?Depends on the caseVerified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources
Retail 4 to 6 hours: Covered large retail employers (see notes) must provide a nonworking shift break of at least 15 minutes for 4 to 6 consecutive hours worked. (Maryland Healthy Retail Employee Act (DOL WHD meal period table))
“15 minute break for 4-6 consecutive hours or a 30 minute break for more than 6 consecutive hours.”
“(i) Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection or subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, an employer may not employ an employee at a retail establishment for 4 to 6 consecutive hours without providing a nonworking shift break of at least 15 minutes.”
dol.gov · mgaleg.maryland.gov · verified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources
Retail 8 plus hours additional: If a covered retail employee works 8 consecutive hours, the employer must provide an additional nonworking shift break of at least 15 minutes for every additional 4 consecutive hours worked. (Maryland Healthy Retail Employee Act (DOL WHD meal period table))
“If an employee works 8 or more consecutive hours, the employer must provide a 30-minute break and an additional 15 minute break for every additional 4 consecutive hours worked.”
“(3) If an employee works 8 consecutive hours in a single shift, the employer shall provide an additional nonworking shift break of at least 15 minutes for every additional 4 consecutive hours the employer employs the employee in the shift.”
dol.gov · mgaleg.maryland.gov · verified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources
Retail over 6 hours: Covered retail employers must provide a nonworking shift break of at least 30 minutes for more than 6 consecutive hours worked. (Maryland Healthy Retail Employee Act (DOL WHD meal period table))
“15 minute break for 4-6 consecutive hours or a 30 minute break for more than 6 consecutive hours.”
“(2) An employer may not employ an employee at a retail establishment for more than 6 consecutive hours without providing a nonworking shift break of at least 30 minutes.”
dol.gov · mgaleg.maryland.gov · verified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources
Rest breaks
Do adult employees get paid rest breaks?No state ruleVerified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources
No state requirement for paid rest periods for adult private-sector employees. (DOL WHD Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements table, footnote 1)
“1 States not listed do not require paid rest periods.”
“Unless the worker is under 18 years old or is an employee who works in certain retail establishments, there is no law requiring an employer to provide breaks, including lunch breaks.”
What it means for an employer
- Write down the break schedule for each shift length and give it to your staff.
- Short breaks you offer (about 5 to 20 minutes) count as paid work time under federal rules (U.S. DOL).
- A meal period can be unpaid only when the employee is completely relieved from duty (29 CFR 785.19).
- Record meal periods in your time system so you can show when each one started and ended.
The federal default
“Federal law does not require lunch or coffee breaks. However, when employers do offer short breaks (usually lasting about 5 to 20 minutes), federal law considers the breaks as compensable work hours that would be included in the sum of hours worked during the workweek and considered in determining if overtime was worked.”
“Bona fide meal periods are not worktime. Bona fide meal periods do not include coffee breaks or time for snacks. These are rest periods. The employee must be completely relieved from duty for the purposes of eating regular meals.”
State rules can add to the federal default. The Maryland rules above are the ones we verified; for anything not covered, ask the state labor office.
Breaks: Maryland and its neighbors
| State | Meal break | Rest break |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | Depends on the case | No state rule |
| Virginia | No state rule | No state rule |
| West Virginia | 20 minutes | Not verified |
| Pennsylvania | No state rule | No state rule |
| Delaware | 30 minutes | Not verified |
| District of Columbia | Not verified | Not verified |
Only verified rules are shown. "Not verified" means we have not checked that state's rule yet; open its rulebook for the official source.
Related
Questions about Maryland break laws
Do adult employees get a meal break in Maryland?
Retail 4 to 6 hours: Covered large retail employers (see notes) must provide a nonworking shift break of at least 15 minutes for 4 to 6 consecutive hours worked. (Maryland Healthy Retail Employee Act (DOL WHD meal period table)) Retail 8 plus hours additional: If a covered retail employee works 8 consecutive hours, the employer must provide an additional nonworking shift break of at least 15 minutes for every additional 4 consecutive hours worked. (Maryland Healthy Retail Employee Act (DOL WHD meal period table)) Retail over 6 hours: Covered retail employers must provide a nonworking shift break of at least 30 minutes for more than 6 consecutive hours worked. (Maryland Healthy Retail Employee Act (DOL WHD meal period table))
Do adult employees get paid rest breaks in Maryland?
No state requirement for paid rest periods for adult private-sector employees. (DOL WHD Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements table, footnote 1)
Sources (6)
- Maryland Healthy Retail Employee Act (DOL WHD meal period table)
- Md. Code, Labor and Employment §3-710(c)(1)
- DOL WHD Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements table, footnote 1
- Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Guide to Wage Payment and Employment Standards (Breaks, Benefits and Days Off)
- U.S. Department of Labor: Breaks and meal periods
- 29 CFR 785.19 (Meal)
Checked Sep 24, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error