Many employees in Seattle and throughout Washington assume that if they skip lunch, eat at their desk, or continue responding to emails during a break, they’re simply “working hard.” But under Washington law, working through a meal or rest break can have serious wage and hour implications – including unpaid overtime claims. For employees who regularly work through breaks, those extra minutes and hours can add up quickly. In some cases, workers may be owed significant backpay. Washington Employers Must Provide Meal and Rest Breaks Washington has strong worker protections when it comes to breaks. In most industries, non-exempt employees are generally entitled to: A paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked, and An unpaid 30-minute meal break