Arkansas Break Laws (2026)
Last updated: 2026-10-07 · Checked against the statute text and state agency guidance · No break law
| Adult meal break | Not required |
|---|---|
| Adult rest break | Not required (short breaks you give must be paid) |
| Minors | No separate rule — adult rules (if any) apply |
| Lactation | Unpaid breaks + private space (all employers) |
| Enforcing agency | Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Labor Standards Division |
Arkansas break scheduler
Pick a state and enter the shift. You'll get every break the law requires, the latest time each can start, a suggested schedule, and — if you enter the breaks actually taken — a compliance check with California premium pay.
Arkansas · Adult (18+) · 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
On site 10 h · hours worked 10 h
No meal or rest break is required by Arkansas law for this shift.
Federal law still applies: breaks of about 5–20 minutes you choose to give must be paid, and an unpaid meal must be a real duty-free break (ordinarily 30+ minutes).
Scheduling aid, not legal advice. Industry wage orders, union contracts and employer-specific exemptions can change the rules — see the Arkansas break law page for citations.
Arkansas meal break law
No state meal-period requirement. Arkansas DLL FAQ: 'Neither state nor federal wage and hour laws require an employer to provide a break or a meal period.' Bona fide meal periods (typically 30+ minutes) need not be paid if the employee is completely relieved of duty.
Source: official guidance
Arkansas rest break law
No state rest-break requirement. Arkansas DLL FAQ: short rest periods (usually 20 minutes or less), if given, must be counted as hours worked and paid under state and federal minimum wage/overtime law.
Breaks for minors in Arkansas
No general meal or rest break rule for minors. Only child performers in the entertainment industry have break rules: per the Arkansas DLL FAQ, 'State law does require rest breaks for children under the age of 16 employed in the entertainment industry'; the entertainment rules (11 CAR §12-403) say a child may not be at the place of employment longer than 6 hours without a meal break and must get a 12-hour rest between workdays.
Lactation breaks in Arkansas
All employers must provide reasonable UNPAID break time each day to an employee who needs to express breast milk for her child to maintain milk supply and comfort; to the extent possible, it runs concurrently with any paid or unpaid break already provided. Employers must make a reasonable effort to provide a private, secure, and sanitary room or other location in close proximity to the work area, other than a toilet stall (may be the employee's normal work space if it qualifies). No time limit after birth is stated. Employer is excused from the break-time requirement if it would create an undue hardship on the employer's operations (no employee-count threshold). The employee must make reasonable efforts to minimize disruption.
Pay: Unpaid (break may run concurrently with existing paid breaks).
Federal floor (PUMP Act): reasonable break time and a private space that isn't a bathroom for one year after birth, for nearly all employees; unpaid unless the employee isn't fully relieved of duty. Employers with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt only if compliance would cause undue hardship.
Source: Ark. Code Ann. §11-5-116
Frequently asked questions
Are breaks required by law in Arkansas?
No meal or rest break law (child performers excepted). Unpaid lactation breaks required. Federal law requires no breaks, but short breaks that are given must be paid and unpaid meal periods must be duty-free.
How many breaks do you get for an 8-hour shift in Arkansas?
None for adults — Arkansas has no general meal or rest break law. Under federal law, any short break you give (5–20 minutes) must be paid.
Do minors get breaks in Arkansas?
No general meal or rest break rule for minors. Only child performers in the entertainment industry have break rules: per the Arkansas DLL FAQ, 'State law does require rest breaks for children under the age of 16 employed in the entertainment industry'; the entertainment rules (11 CAR §12-403) say a child may not be at the place of employment longer than 6 hours without a meal break and must get a 12-hour rest between workdays.
Are lactation breaks required in Arkansas?
All employers must provide reasonable UNPAID break time each day to an employee who needs to express breast milk for her child to maintain milk supply and comfort; to the extent possible, it runs concurrently with any paid or unpaid break already provided. Employers must make a reasonable effort to provide a private, secure, and sanitary room or other location in close proximity to the work area, other than a toilet stall (may be the employee's normal work space if it qualifies). No time limit after birth is stated. Employer is excused from the break-time requirement if it would create an undue hardship on the employer's operations (no employee-count threshold). The employee must make reasonable efforts to minimize disruption. The federal PUMP Act also applies: reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom space for one year after birth.
Official Arkansas sources
Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-07Compare
Also “No break law”: Arizona, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming
← Arizona · All states table · California → · Arkansas overtime
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Helpful guides
General information, not legal advice. Industry rules, union contracts and agency exemptions can change these requirements. Confirm with Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Labor Standards Division.