Virginia: rest break laws
Whether your state requires paid rest breaks during the workday, separate from meal breaks.
Checked on official source| Rest break rule | No state requirement |
|---|---|
| Who it covers | Federal law does not require breaks |
Under federal law, any short break of 5 to 20 minutes that your employer chooses to give must be paid. Separate rules may apply to minors and nursing mothers.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in Virginia.
How Virginia compares
42 of 51 states and DC share this answer (No): Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- Yes (9)
- No (42)
Also for Virginia: Workers' comp deadlines in Virginia · Workers' comp benefits in Virginia · Paid leave programs in Virginia · Final paycheck rules in Virginia · Minimum wage in Virginia · Unemployment benefits in Virginia · Meal break laws in Virginia · Tipped minimum wage in Virginia · Payday frequency in Virginia · All Virginia rules on one page
How we checked this
Rules come from the U.S. Department of Labor's table of state paid rest period requirements for adult workers. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.
Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.