Are break rooms legally required for Seattle job sites?

August 23, 2021 5:39 PM

My job doesn't have anywhere for workers to take meal breaks other than our cars. Some of us take the bus to work, so there's nowhere for non-drivers to go. We work in trailers, and definitely can't eat in them. The job site is new and we haven't had to deal with rain yet. In Seattle, is it required for an employer to give a sheltered place to take meal breaks?
posted by anonymous to Law & Government (5 answers total)

I would inquire with the Office of Labor Standards. There are several pages that list the requirements for meal and rest breaks in the state and city, but none of them talk about a break area.
posted by soelo at 5:49 PM on August 23, 2021

Checking LNI.wa.gov website doesn't mention "break facility", only "reasonable access to toilet". Checking Nolo.com says essentially the same thing.

NOT required to provide break room

https://www.nelsonboydlaw.com/blog/articles/what-are-my-rights-as-an-employee-in-the-state-of-washington-meal-periods-and-rest-periods/
posted by kschang at 11:01 AM on August 24, 2021

Yeah, I’ve worked in many places that did not offer break rooms (including places where you were expected to leave the premises during your lunch break). For instance, small retail shops basically never have break rooms. You would probably have more luck arguing to your employer that offering a break room is a standard bare-minimum level of perk in your industry (if indeed this is the case).
posted by mskyle at 4:11 AM on August 27, 2021

Mod note: From the OP:

It turns out that our site's union contract requires break rooms. I contacted my union, they were very interested, and they're taking it up with Labor Relations.

posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 7:55 PM on September 21, 2021

Oh, he never mentions that the place is unionized. :-/
posted by kschang at 10:21 PM on September 21, 2021