Meal and Break Rules in Oregon

Employers in Oregon must provide an appropriate meal period of not less than 30 minutes for each work period of not less than six nor more than eight hours. The meal must be taken between the second and fifth hour worked (if the work period is seven hours or less) or between the third and sixth hour worked (if the work period is more than seven hours) and the employee must be relieved of all duties. A period in which to eat while continuing to perform duties or remain on call, but which is not deducted from hours worked, is permitted only where the nature of the work prevents the employee from being relieved of all duty.

Employers also must provide "appropriate rest periods" of not less than 10 minutes without deduction from pay for every four hours or major part thereof worked in one work period. The period of rest must be in addition to the usual meal period, and insofar as possible should be taken approximately in the middle of each work period. The Wage and Hour Commission may make exceptions for good cause shown.

Effective January 1, 2006, employers with 25 or more employees are required to provide reasonable unpaid rest periods to accommodate an employee who needs to express milk for her child.

Effective January 1, 2006, a minor employee under the age of 16 is entitled to a mealtime of at least 30 minutes, and the mealtime can not be included as part of the day's work hours.