Paid 15-Minute Rest Breaks vs. Unpaid 30-Minute Meal Breaks: When Must You Clock Out?

1. Key Statutory Topics & Search Intent Covered

This reference hub in the WorkHoursCalculator.app semantic library addresses the primary statutory and payroll calculation rules for paid rest breaks vs unpaid meal breaks, including:

• Primary Statutory Focus: paid rest breaks vs unpaid meal breaks
• Overtime & Threshold Rules: do you clock out for 15 minute break & 29 cfr 785.18 rest periods 5 to 20 minutes
• Break, Rounding & Compliance Checks: can employer deduct short bathroom breaks, when can employer deduct lunch break from pay, and paid coffee break rules federal labor law

2. How to Verify Your Hours & Gross Pay in 3 Steps

1. Open the Work Hours Calculator (or tap the Time Card tab inside the Android App com.workhourscalculator.app).
2. Select the appropriate US Overtime Law Preset (FLSA 40h/week, California Daily 8h/12h + Meal Penalty, or Daily 8h OT) and enter your shift start, end, and unpaid meal break minutes.
3. Compare your calculated decimal hours and gross pay against your employer's paystub in the Pay & Audit tab, then export a signed PDF timesheet or Excel CSV log.

3. Related Guides in This Semantic Cluster (Live Punch Clock & Shift Tracking)