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Indiana Labor Laws

Indiana labor law largely follows federal standards with minimal state-specific employment requirements. The state follows the federal minimum wage and has specific break requirements only for minor employees.

Note: Indiana follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour and has minimal additional labor law requirements beyond federal standards. Minors under 18 require two 30-minute breaks for shifts over 6 hours.

Minimum Wage

Indiana follows the federal minimum wage with no state minimum wage law above federal levels.

Key Requirements

  • State minimum wage: $7.25 per hour (same as federal minimum)
  • Tipped employees: $2.13/hour cash wage (with tip credit to reach $7.25)
  • Training wage: $4.25/hour for employees under 20 during first 90 days
  • Applies to employers with 2 or more employees
  • Some exemptions for agricultural workers and certain other categories

Additional Resources

Overtime

Indiana follows federal overtime requirements under the FLSA with no additional state requirements.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • No daily overtime requirement (calculated weekly)
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • No state-specific overtime laws
  • Workweek is seven consecutive 24-hour periods

Additional Resources

Meal and Rest Breaks

Indiana requires meal breaks only for minors, not for adult employees.

Key Requirements

  • Adult employees: No state law requiring meal or rest breaks
  • Minors under 18: Two 30-minute breaks required for shifts over 6 hours
  • Minor breaks: One break must be before the first 3 hours, another before the last 3 hours
  • If breaks are voluntarily provided to adults, federal rules apply
  • Short breaks (5-20 minutes) must be paid if provided

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

Indiana has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Employees must be paid at least semi-monthly (twice per month)
  • Or pay may be weekly or bi-weekly
  • Payment must be made within 10 days after end of pay period
  • Final wages: Must be paid by next regular payday
  • Certain wage deductions require written authorization

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Indiana has restrictions on youth employment, particularly during school hours.

Key Requirements

  • Employment certificates (work permits) required for minors under 18
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 3 hours per school day, 18 hours per week during school
  • Ages 14-15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school not in session
  • Ages 16-17: No hour restrictions but hazardous occupation restrictions apply
  • Minors under 16 cannot work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm in summer)

Additional Resources

Right to Work

Indiana is a "Right to Work" state, protecting workers' freedom of association.

Key Requirements

  • Employees cannot be required to join a union as a condition of employment
  • Employers cannot require union dues or fees as a condition of employment
  • Enacted in 2012, making Indiana the 23rd Right to Work state
  • Does not prohibit unions or collective bargaining
  • Workers have freedom to choose whether to join or support a union

Additional Resources

Minor Break Requirements

Indiana has specific break requirements for minor employees that are more stringent than federal law:

Two 30-Minute Breaks Required

  • Applies to employees under 18 working shifts over 6 hours
  • First break must occur before the first 3 hours of work
  • Second break must occur before the last 3 hours of work
  • Each break must be at least 30 minutes and uninterrupted

Indiana as a Right to Work State

Indiana became a Right to Work state in 2012:

  • Workers cannot be compelled to join a union or pay union dues
  • Union security agreements are prohibited
  • Does not prohibit collective bargaining or union formation
  • Was the 23rd state to adopt Right to Work legislation

Federal Laws Apply

Since Indiana has minimal state-specific labor laws, employers must focus on federal compliance:

FLSA

Fair Labor Standards Act governs minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, and youth employment.

FMLA

Family and Medical Leave Act provides job-protected leave for eligible employees.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations.

Title VII

Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Ensure Indiana Labor Compliance

Rightwork automatically enforces minor break requirements, ensures federal labor law compliance, and manages all scheduling obligations for Indiana employers.

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