How Many Hours Straight Can You Legally Work In A Day?

There is no federal law that limits the number of hours an employee can work in a day. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not set maximum work hours, but it does require overtime pay for non-exempt employees working more than 40 hours in a week​. State laws vary regarding required breaks and limits on work hours.

State-Specific Work Hour Regulations

1. Illinois Labor Laws

• No restriction on how many hours an adult can work in a day.
• Employees working 7.5+ hours are entitled to a 20-minute unpaid meal break​.

2. Minnesota Labor Laws

• No maximum work hours per day unless specified in contracts.
• Employees must receive a 30-minute unpaid meal break if their shift is 8+ hours​.

3. Nebraska Labor Laws

• No restriction on maximum daily work hours.
• Certain industries (e.g., assembly plants) must provide a 30-minute unpaid meal break for 8-hour shifts​.

4. North Dakota Labor Laws

• Employers can require employees to work any number of hours in a day.
• If a shift is 5+ hours, a 30-minute unpaid break is required when two or more workers are on duty​.

5. Wyoming Labor Laws

• No restrictions on daily work hours.
• No requirement for employers to provide breaks, but if given, breaks under 20 minutes must be paid​.

Key Considerations for Long Work Shifts

⚠ Tracking Overtime Accurately: Employers and employees should use track billable Hours systems to ensure overtime pay is properly accounted for. Some states require different overtime calculations based on daily vs. weekly work hours.

⚠ Preventing Timekeeping Errors: Proper timesheet reporting is critical to avoiding payroll disputes. Employees should ensure all work hours are accurately recorded to comply with state labor laws.⚠ Employer Compliance Measures: Many companies implement time card approval procedures to monitor long work hours and prevent scheduling violations, particularly in states with mandatory rest breaks.

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