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State of Nebraska Labor laws shield workers against discrimination, hazardous work environments, and unfair labor practices. Employers that do not comply with these laws can be hit with hefty penalties, lawsuits, and other legal repercussions.
Federal laws set a minimum level of protection for workers across the country, yet every state, including Nebraska, has certain regulations and requirements that must be met by businesses. You must be aware of these state-by-state regulations to ensure compliance, a positive workplace, and prevent legal missteps when expanding your business.
Standard Working Hours
All the states in the USA have certain rules regarding working hours. Check below to know more about Nebraska.
Minimum Wages
Nebraska raised the statewide minimum wage to $13.50 per hour in 2025 as part of a phased increase that calls for reaching $15.00 an hour by 2026. The state will then raise the minimum wage every year starting in 2027 to keep up with inflation, so that wages stay in line with living costs.
Nebraska permits a training wage for workers under age 20. The employee must receive the full state minimum wage after this point or when the employee reaches age 20, whichever is sooner, unless there is a specific exception.
It’s worth mentioning that minimum wages cannot be established by Nebraska counties and cities above the state level, so the statewide minimum wage prevails uniformly across all counties and cities.
Overtime Laws
Nebraska adheres to the National Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regarding overtime provisions. Non-exempt workers under both national and state law are required to receive overtime of 1.5 times their regular rate for any work over 40 hours in a workweek. This protects employees from being taken advantage of by working more than a typical full-time workweek.
Yet, not every worker is entitled to overtime pay. Some workers are exempted under the FLSA. Exemptions are generally for executive, administrative, and professional employees who fulfill certain requirements.
As per Nebraska work laws, Nebraska employers should take careful consideration of job positions and pay structures to identify who qualifies for overtime.
Tipped Minimum Wages
Employers in Nebraska are permitted to use a tip credit to pay the employee a reduced direct cash wage of $2.13 per hour, so long as conditions are met. The tips the employee receives must be enough to bring the employee to the full state minimum wage.
Meal And Rest Breaks
Break times and rest periods allow workers the room to rest as per the updated Nebraska labor laws breaks. For the most part, Nebraska doesn’t have any mandatory requirements for providing breaks to workers. Yet, workers can be provided breaks as an incentive, which can prevent burnout.
Workers are entitled to a 30-minute meal break for every shift of at least 8 hours. Employees are entitled to up to one year of breastfeeding breaks after they give birth and should be provided with access to clean, private facilities.
Leave Laws
Employees can choose to take leave to address illness, the birth of a child, or other personal matters, depending on the Nebraska labor laws salaried employees.
All Nebraska employers are required to offer:
| Type of Leave | Details / Eligibility |
| Family and Medical Leave | Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible workers can take 12 weeks of unpaid leave for birth, maternity/paternity leave, adoption, fostering, care of a seriously ill family member, and other specified life events.
Employees must have worked for their employer for at least one year. |
| Jury Duty Leave | Employers cannot prevent employees from serving as jurors, but they are not required to provide compensation for jury service. |
| Military Family Leave | Companies with 15 or more employees must provide time off to employees with spouses or children on active military duty. |
| Military Leave | Employees are entitled to unpaid military leave with job protection under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). |
| Paid Leave for Voting | Employees must be granted a minimum of two hours off to vote on the day of an election. |
| State Employee Leave | State employees are entitled to paid sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday leave. |
| Private Employer Leave | Private employers are not required to offer sick leave, bereavement leave, crime victim leave, vacation leave, holiday leave, or emergency response leave, though many provide some leave benefits voluntarily. |
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Child Labor Laws
Nebraska labor laws for minors combine state regulations with federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provisions to provide safeguards that will keep children out of hazardous working environments while giving them valuable work experience. These laws aim to ensure safe environments while giving children opportunities for growth through productive employment experiences.
Nebraska law generally sets 14 years as the minimum age for non-agricultural work in Nebraska, although children aged 13-14 may work in certain exempted occupations like newspaper delivery as long as it does not pose any threat of harm to them or others.
Violating Nebraska’s child labor laws by employers can have severe legal ramifications.
Workers aged 14-15 must obtain an employment certificate from their school district prior to beginning work; this requirement does not apply to family businesses or agricultural tasks such as detasseling. Nebraska prohibits minors from engaging in hazardous occupations like mining, brick manufacturing, or logging.
- Minors between 14 and 15 can work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. without incurring penalties; their work hours depend on both age and whether school is in session: for those 14-15, work must only occur outside school hours (i.e. not during class time), up to 3 hours on each school day and 18 per week; work can begin from 7 am. to 7 pm.
- Minors aged 16 or 17 who are not enrolled in school are permitted to work a maximum of 8 hours each day and 40 hours in any week, including evening hours up until 9 p.m. For this group, there are no state or federal hour restrictions in effect, but hazardous occupations remain prohibited.
Employee Compensation
Wage garnishments and deductions in Nebraska are governed both by state law and federal protection under the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA). Employers have to adhere to clear-cut legal regulations to make sure any funds deducted from an employee’s check are lawful, authorized, and duly documented.
Wage deductions in Nebraska can be made only under certain circumstances. Deductions can be allowed if they are:
- Mandated by law, like taxes, Social Security, or court orders for garnishment.
- Approved in writing by the worker for a legitimate purpose.
For repayment of employer-supplied property—such as uniforms, equipment, or training expenses—if the worker has willingly entered into a written contract stating the terms.
However, deductions cannot cut an employee’s wages below the minimum wage level, except when the deduction is required by law or legally authorized under state and federal law.
Nebraska adopts the federal CCPA wage garnishment limits, which shield some of an employee’s disposable income.
Taxes Nebraska
Nebraska’s tax system has a combination of income, sales, and property taxes that affect individuals and businesses throughout the state. The state applies a graduated individual income tax, with the rate rising as incomes climb. Individual income tax rates for 2025 will be between 2.46% and 5.84%, depending on income.
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Curious Minds Also Ask
What are the labor laws in Nebraska?
Nebraska labor laws address wages, hours, overtime, breaks, minimum wage, child labor, workplace safety, and termination, regulated by the Nebraska Department of Labor.
How many hours can you legally work in a day in Nebraska?
Nebraska does not have a daily limit on work hours for adults, though overtime is required after 40 hours weekly.
What is the 2 week notice law in Nebraska?
No, two weeks’ notice is not required under Nebraska law before quitting.
Can I work 6 hours without a lunch break in Nebraska?
Yes, you may work six hours without having a lunch break; breaks are not mandated for adults by law.
What is wrongful termination in Nebraska?
Wrongful discharge happens when an employee is discharged for unlawful reasons, like discrimination or revenge.
What is the tip law in Nebraska?
Tipped employees are supposed to be paid no less than the state minimum wage from tips; employers may pay a reduced cash wage if tips supplement it.
Is 32 hours full time in Nebraska?
Nebraska does not legally classify full-time; 30–40 hours a week is typically full-time to most employers.
Does PTO have to be paid out in Nebraska?
PTO need not be paid out unless the employer’s policy or contract calls for it.
What is the 7 day notice in Nebraska?
Nebraska does not mandate a 7-day notice to quit or terminate.
What is a constructive discharge in Nebraska?
Constructive discharge happens when an employer makes working conditions unbearable, causing an employee to quit.
What is the statute 28 511 in Nebraska?
Statute 28-511 establishes penalties for assault, including assault in the workplace.
What is the minimum wage in Nebraska?
The Nebraska minimum wage is $11.00 per hour (2025).
Does Nebraska have paid sick leave?
Nebraska does not mandate employers to offer paid sick leave.
Is holiday pay mandatory in Nebraska?
Holiday pay is not required in Nebraska.
How many days in a row can you work in Nebraska?
There is no cap on consecutive days of work; overtime is paid after 40 hours in a workweek.
What is the 2 week notice law in Nebraska?
Nebraska does not have two weeks’ notice; it is merely a professional courtesy.
Do you get your PTO if you get fired in Nebraska?
PTO is only paid out if the policy or contract of the employer states it.
FAQ's
What is the minimum wage in Nebraska for 2025?
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The state minimum wage in Nebraska for 2025 is $11.00 per hour. Employers must pay the higher of the state or federal minimum wage to employees.
How many hours can employees work before overtime applies?
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Employees in Nebraska are entitled to overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular rate for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Certain exemptions may apply for salaried or managerial roles.
What are the rules for meal and rest breaks in Nebraska?
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Nebraska law does not mandate meal or rest breaks for adult employees. However, employers often provide breaks in accordance with company policy or federal regulations.
Are there protections against workplace discrimination?
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Yes. Nebraska labor laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin. Employees experiencing discrimination can file a complaint with the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission (NEOC).
