State labor laws · TN

Tennessee labor laws for hourly teams.

No state overtime law, so the federal 40-hour rule applies, and a 30-minute unpaid break is required for anyone scheduled to work 6 hours in a row.

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The rules below come from Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Labor Standards Unit, or from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act where Tennessee has no rule of its own. Each topic page shows its sources and the date we checked them.

Tennessee at a glance

Tennessee
OvertimeTennessee has no overtime statute of its own, and its Department of Labor and Workforce Development refers overtime questions to the U.S.
Meal and rest breaksTennessee law (Tenn.

Read the full rule

Overtime

Tennessee Overtime Laws for Hourly Employees (2026)

Tennessee has no state overtime law. The federal FLSA applies: time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek and no daily overtime. Worked example included.

Meal and rest breaks

Tennessee Meal and Rest Break Laws (2026)

Tennessee requires a 30-minute unpaid break for anyone scheduled 6 hours in a row, not in the first hour. Tipped servers may waive it in writing.

Who enforces it

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Labor Standards Unit. Federal overtime and hours-worked rules are enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division.

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This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; check the linked source.