Employer must REQUIRE 30 minute meal break

[Video] An administrative rule in Oregon says certain employers "shall provide" a 30 minute meal break for employees working between six and eight hours.

The Oregon Court of Appeals says this means that if employees work a portion of that 30 minutes, then they are entitled to be paid for the entire 30 minutes. Maza v. Waterford Operations (Oregon Ct App 11/14/2019) [PDF]

Here is what the administrative rule says:

“(1) The purpose of this rule is to prescribe minimum meal periods and rest periods for the preservation of the health of employees.

“(2)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this rule, every employer shall provide to each employee, for each work period of not less than six or more than eight hours, a meal period of not less than 30 continuous minutes during which the employee is relieved of all duties.

“(b) Except as otherwise provided in this rule, if an employee is not relieved of all duties for 30 continuous minutes during the meal period, the employer must pay the employee for the entire 30-minute meal period.”