Human Resources

Meal Periods (Lunch)

A nonexempt employee is entitled to a meal period of not less than thirty (30) minutes, and up to sixty (60) minutes within each six (6) hour shift. The time of the meal period shall be scheduled by the appropriate administrator and should be at or near the middle of the workday. An employee may not shorten or eliminate his/her scheduled lunch periods to alter the beginning or ending of a workday. If an employee works less than six (6) hours in a day, they can voluntarily agree with the appropriate administrator to waive their right to a meal period.

Meal periods conditions:

  1. meal periods are at least thirty (30) minutes in duration,
  2. the employee is completely relieved of his/her duty, and
  3. the employee is free to leave his/her work station if the employee so desires.

An employee who is required by an appropriate administrator to remain at work during a meal period shall be paid and the meal period shall count as hours worked. An employee may not elect to work during a meal period; it must be taken.