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Tennessee Labor Laws 2025

Tennessee labor law largely follows federal standards with mandatory 30-minute meal breaks for shifts of 6+ consecutive hours, the federal minimum wage, and Right to Work protections enshrined in the state constitution.

Important: Tennessee requires 30-minute meal breaks for employees working 6+ consecutive hours, scheduled as close to the middle of the shift as possible.

Minimum Wage

Tennessee does not have a state minimum wage law and follows federal minimum wage requirements.

Key Requirements

  • No state minimum wage - federal minimum wage applies: $7.25 per hour
  • Tipped employees: $2.13/hour cash wage (with tip credit to reach $7.25)
  • All employers covered by FLSA must pay federal minimum wage
  • Most Tennessee employers are covered by federal FLSA
  • No scheduled increases beyond federal changes

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Overtime

Tennessee 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

Tennessee requires meal breaks for employees working 6+ hour shifts.

Key Requirements

  • Meal break: 30-minute unpaid break for shifts of 6 consecutive hours or more
  • Break must be scheduled as close to the middle of the shift as possible
  • Applies to employees scheduled to work 6+ consecutive hours
  • No state law requiring paid rest breaks
  • If breaks are voluntarily provided, short breaks must be paid

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

Tennessee has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Employees must be paid at least semi-monthly (twice per month)
  • Payment must be made on regular paydays designated by employer
  • Final wages: Must be paid by next regular payday or within 21 days, whichever is later
  • Certain wage deductions require written authorization
  • Direct deposit allowed with employee written authorization

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Tennessee has comprehensive restrictions on youth employment.

Key Requirements

  • 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
  • Federal child labor laws also apply

Additional Resources

Right to Work

Tennessee is a "Right to Work" state with constitutional protection.

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
  • Protected by Tennessee Constitution Article XI, Section 18
  • Does not prohibit unions or collective bargaining
  • Constitutional protection makes it difficult to overturn

Additional Resources

Meal Break Requirements

Tennessee has specific meal break requirements for longer shifts:

  • When required: Employees scheduled to work 6 or more consecutive hours
  • Duration: 30-minute unpaid break
  • Timing: Should be scheduled as close to the middle of the shift as possible
  • Employees must be completely relieved of duties during the break

Tennessee Constitutional Right to Work

Tennessee has strong Right to Work protections in its state constitution:

  • Protected by Tennessee Constitution Article XI, Section 18
  • Workers cannot be compelled to join a union or pay union dues
  • Constitutional protection makes it more difficult to overturn than statutory law

Federal Laws Apply

Since Tennessee 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.

Final Wage Payment Timing

Tennessee has specific timing for final wage payments:

Final wages must be paid by the next regular payday or within 21 days, whichever is later. This gives employers more flexibility than states with shorter timeframes.

Navigate Tennessee's Labor Requirements

Rightwork automatically enforces Tennessee's meal break requirements for shifts of 6+ hours, ensures compliance with all federal labor laws, and manages payroll timing requirements.

Learn More About Rightwork