District of Columbia break, overtime and sick leave rules

Meal and rest breaks, overtime and paid sick leave in District of Columbia, in plain words. Last reviewed October 31, 2026. Not legal advice.

The rules in District of Columbia#

Meal breaks: No general meal break rule for adults.
Rest breaks: No general paid rest break rule for adults.
Overtime: 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime, double time or seventh‑day rule.
Paid sick leave: Accrual depends on employer size: 100 or more employees, 1 hour per 37 hours worked up to 7 days per year; 25 to 99 employees, 1 hour per 43 hours up to 5 days; fewer than 25 employees, 1 hour per 87 hours up to 3 days. Tipped restaurant and bar employees accrue 1 hour per 43 hours up to 5 days regardless of employer size.

Oh! Thyme runs a company in District of Columbia on the federal rules. On every shift it checks:

Overtime after 40 hours in a workweek, worked out week by week
Every punch and break, to the minute
Sick leave balances build from approved hours at the rate set for each person, such as 1 hour per 30 worked, stop at their cap, and come down when time off is approved.