Court upholds hospital worker meal and rest break protections
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On December 19, the Superior Court of Thurston County ruled in favor of the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), allowing it to enforce hospital meal and rest break rules. According to L&I’s policy, hospitals cannot automatically require staff to waive their meal breaks, and they must pay employees 30 minutes of extra compensation for any missed or late meal periods.
Earlier this year, the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), representing hospital operators, filed a lawsuit challenging L&I’s authority to issue guidance on meal and rest breaks. This guidance stems from the safe staffing law passed in 2023, which was championed by UFCW 3000, WSNA, and SEIU 1199NW. The law included provisions for L&I to enforce meal and rest break laws like mandating compensatory damages.
WSHA argued that L&I lacked the authority to issue such policies, but the court sided with L&I. This means L&I can continue to ensure hospital workers receive their legally required breaks and pursue compensatory damages. This ruling is a significant win for hospital caregivers across Washington State!
