Oregon · Breaks · Updated April 2026

Oregon rest break: 10 minutes paid per 4 hours worked.

Workers must receive a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked or major fraction thereof (anything over 2 hours). Rest breaks cannot be waived — unlike meal breaks. The rest period must be taken on the employer's premises (or at the work location) and must be uninterrupted. Missed or interrupted rest breaks are wage claims under BOLI's enforcement.

Length
10 minutes paid
Frequency
Per 4 hours worked
Authority
OAR 839-020-0050
Active

10-Minute Paid Rest Break Per 4 Hours

Schedules paid rest breaks per 4-hour interval. Validates uninterrupted period. Cannot be waived.

Block schedule without rest break per 4 hours
Avoid · waiver attempts
Always running

What those rules do at schedule publish.

The hero card configuration: Block on missing rest break, Avoid on attempted waivers.

Block · on schedule without required rest breaks

When a shift is published without the required rest breaks (one per 4-hour interval, or major fraction over 2 hours), the publish fails with the missing-period count surfaced.

Avoid · on rest break waiver attempts

Rest breaks cannot be waived under Oregon law. If a worker or manager attempts to waive a rest period, the system surfaces the prohibition and rejects the waiver.

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The rule, plainly stated

10 minutes per 4 hours — paid, not waivable.

Oregon's rest break rule is structurally similar to California, Washington, and Colorado: paid 10-minute rest period per 4 hours worked. The non-waivable nature is the operational distinction from the meal break rule.

OAR 839-020-0050(1) — Rest Periods: Every employer shall provide a paid rest period of not less than 10 minutes for each segment of 4 hours or major part thereof worked in one work period.

Frequency by shift length

1 rest break for shifts of 2-6 hours, 2 rest breaks for 6-10 hours, 3 rest breaks for 10-14 hours, etc. The 'major part' rule means anything over 2 hours triggers a rest break — a 5-hour shift gets two breaks (2 hours + 'major part' of 4 hours).

Paid time, included in OT calculation

Rest breaks are paid time and count toward the 40-hour overtime trigger. A worker scheduled for 36 hours of work with 4 hours of rest breaks reaches 40 hours of paid time. The rest break time is part of the regular rate calculation.

On autopilot

Teambridge schedules rest breaks automatically by shift length.

The major-fraction rule produces non-obvious break counts. Teambridge handles the math.

01 · Break count by shift length

Major-fraction rule applied.

When a shift is created, Teambridge calculates the required rest break count using the major-fraction rule (anything over 2 hours triggers a break).

02 · Auto-insertion at quarter points

Breaks distributed across shift.

Required rest breaks are auto-inserted at approximately the quarter points of the shift. A 10-hour shift gets breaks at hour 2.5, 5, and 7.5.

03 · Waiver block

Waiver attempts rejected.

Manager or worker attempts to waive rest breaks are rejected with the prohibition surfaced. The non-waivable rule is enforced at scheduling and at clock-out.

04 · OT-inclusive tracking

Rest break time counts toward 40-hour OT.

Rest break time is paid and counts toward the 40-hour weekly OT trigger. A worker with 4+ hours of rest breaks across the week pushes earlier into OT.

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FAQ

People also ask.

What's the rest break rule in Oregon?
10-minute paid rest break per 4 hours worked or major fraction thereof. Rest breaks cannot be waived. They count as paid time and contribute to the 40-hour weekly OT trigger. OAR 839-020-0050 is the controlling rule.
How many rest breaks does each shift size get?
1 break for 2-6 hours, 2 breaks for 6-10 hours, 3 breaks for 10-14 hours. The 'major fraction' rule means anything over 2 hours triggers a break — a 5-hour shift gets 2 breaks.
Can workers waive their rest break to leave early?
No. Rest breaks cannot be waived under Oregon law. Even if the worker prefers to skip the break and leave 10 minutes earlier, the employer must pay for the rest period. This is structurally different from the meal break rule, which does allow per-shift waiver.
Are rest breaks paid time?
Yes. Rest breaks are paid and count toward both the regular rate calculation and the 40-hour OT trigger. A 36-hour shift week with 4 hours of rest breaks = 40 hours of paid time.
Where can workers spend the rest break?
On the employer's premises or at the work location. Workers cannot be required to leave the premises (would convert to off-the-clock) but also cannot be required to stay at the workstation. Freedom to move within the premises is the standard.