Georgia labor laws do not mandate specific break periods for employees. Unlike some states, Georgia does not have statutes requiring employers to provide meal or rest breaks. This means that, in general, employers are not legally obligated to give their employees any breaks during their work shifts. However, federal law under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides guidelines for breaks if employers choose to offer them.
Under the FLSA, short breaks lasting about 5 to 20 minutes are considered compensable work hours and must be paid. Meal breaks, typically lasting 30 minutes or more, are not required to be paid as long as the employee is completely relieved of duties.
While Georgia law does not require breaks, many employers voluntarily provide them to maintain employee morale and productivity. Employees should review their company’s break policies and discuss any concerns with their employer.