Overtime and Break Laws
Kentucky overtime law requires employees to receive time-and-a-half pay when working seven consecutive days. In shifts longer than five hours, employers must provide reasonable, unpaid meal breaks between the third and fifth hour. Additionally:
- Employees are entitled to short, paid breaks less than 20 minutes for every four hours worked.
- For every 8+ consecutive hours worked, employers must provide a 30-minute break plus an extra 15 minutes for every additional four hours worked.
Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits in Kentucky are contingent on wages earned during the base period, with the maximum benefit set at $415 weekly and the minimum at $39. These benefits can be received for a maximum duration of 26 weeks.
Employee Work Hours and Final Paycheck
Full-time employees typically average over 30 hours weekly or 130 hours monthly. A full week is defined as 168 hours, spread across seven 24-hour periods that can start on any day or hour. Kentucky adheres to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Moreover, employers cannot withhold the last paycheck from employees who are either fired or resign; compensation for all earned, unpaid wages must be provided.
Break Provisions for Minors
For minors under 18 years old, Kentucky law mandates a 30-minute lunch break for every 5 hours of work.
Other Legal Provisions
- Kentucky prohibits texting while driving.
- Kentucky allows individuals to keep weapons in company parking lots.
- Federal laws dictate that overtime pay is required for work exceeding forty hours per week.