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Boston, Massachusetts · OFFICIAL SOURCES & THRESHOLDS

Boston, Massachusetts
Meal & rest breaks.

Check official requirements, employee thresholds, effective dates, and employer responsibilities for meal & rest breaks.

Notice: General informational guidance, not legal advice. Read the full legal disclaimer. Federal, state, and municipal regulations operate concurrently.
Part of Massachusetts Employment Compliance

Municipal ordinances operate concurrently with state and federal labor laws.

Massachusetts Meal & rest breaks → All Massachusetts Rules →

Separate Boston rules

No separate Boston rule is published yet for meal & rest breaks. The state rule shown below applies unless a different local requirement is verified and published. Do not treat the state figure as a Boston figure.

Applicable state and federal rules

These are state or federal requirements that may also apply within Boston. Each entry remains labeled with its own jurisdiction and source.

Meal & rest breaks · MassachusettsChanged recently

Massachusetts meal breaks

30-minute meal break in a work period of more than 6 hours

Massachusetts requires a 30-minute meal break for employees working a period of more than 6 hours (MGL c.149, section 100). The state does not require separate paid rest breaks.

Employee threshold: 0+ employees in Massachusetts · All industries
Effective
Jan 1, 2000

Local notes & what to do

Massachusetts' minimum wage has stayed at $15.00 since January 1, 2023, with no further increase scheduled. The Wage Act is strict on pay timing: a discharged employee must be paid in full on the day of discharge, and late wages bring mandatory treble damages. Pay range disclosure in job postings began October 29, 2025 for employers with 25 or more employees, and PFML contributions stayed at 0.88% of eligible wages for 2026 while the maximum weekly benefit rose to $1,230.39.

Official source: Massachusetts General Laws c.149, section 100 (Mass.gov) Last checked Nov 1, 2026
No expert reviewer assigned to this entry. General information, not legal advice.

Thresholds, dates & upcoming changes

Jurisdiction / rule Requirement Employees / industry Effective / status Official source / last checked
Massachusetts
Massachusetts meal breaks 		30-minute meal break in a work period of more than 6 hours 0–any employees
All industries 		Jan 1, 2000
Current 		Massachusetts General Laws c.149, section 100 (Mass.gov)
Checked Nov 1, 2026
THE DATED RECORD

What changed in Boston, Massachusetts?

Massachusetts · Meal & rest breaks

Rule name changed from not previously published to Massachusetts meal breaks. Summary changed from not previously published to Massachusetts requires a 30-minute meal break for employees working a period of more than 6 hours (MGL c.149, section 100). The state does not require separate paid rest breaks.. Requirement changed from not previously published to 30-minute meal break in a work period of more than 6 hours. Numeric amount changed from not previously published to not published. Minimum employer size changed from not previously published to 0 employees. Effective date changed from not previously published to Jan 1, 2000. Publication status changed from not previously published to active. Local guidance changed from not previously published to Massachusetts' minimum wage has stayed at $15.00 since January 1, 2023, with no further increase scheduled. The Wage Act is strict on pay timing: a discharged employee must be paid in full on the day of discharge, and late wages bring mandatory treble damages. Pay range disclosure in job postings began October 29, 2025 for employers with 25 or more employees, and PFML contributions stayed at 0.88% of eligible wages for 2026 while the maximum weekly benefit rose to $1,230.39.. Industry coverage changed from not previously published to not published.

Source: Massachusetts General Laws c.149, section 100 (Mass.gov) · Effective Jan 1, 2000 · Last checked Nov 1, 2026 · View current requirement →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions employers ask about Meal & rest breaks in Boston, Massachusetts

What is the Massachusetts meal & rest breaks requirement for 0+ employees?

30-minute meal break in a work period of more than 6 hours. Massachusetts requires a 30-minute meal break for employees working a period of more than 6 hours (MGL c.149, section 100). The state does not require separate paid rest breaks.

When did Massachusetts meal breaks take effect?

Effective January 1, 2000. Source: Massachusetts General Laws c.149, section 100 (Mass.gov). Last checked November 1, 2026.

Who must follow Massachusetts meal breaks?

Employers with 0 or more employees in Massachusetts across all industries.

What is the penalty for violating Massachusetts meal breaks?

No penalty information has been published in this entry. Consult the official source.

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