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Both employers and employees must be protected by the State of Utah Labor Laws. Employers who hire in several states find it particularly difficult because each state has its own employment laws.
Employers in Utah must abide by both federal and state laws, though Utah’s regulations are more lenient than those in many other states. For instance, Utah’s minimum wage law is similar to the federal one, but it also stipulates that employees must take breaks from their jobs.
Standard Working Hours And Wages
Every state has different laws for the standard working hours and wages. Below, we can see that.
Minimum Wages
The federal minimum wage and Utah’s minimum wage are both $7.25 per hour. The following workers are exempt from Utah’s minimum wage:
Workers subject to the federal minimum wage under the Fair Labour Standards Act (FLSA), other than:
- Workers who are employed by their close relatives
- Temporary and domestic workers
- Some agricultural labourers
Overtime Wages
There are no specific overtime regulations for private sector workers in Utah. Rather, the federal FLSA overtime regulations mandate that employers pay:
For every hour over 40 in a workweek, receive 1.5 times the regular rate of pay.
Tipped Minimum Wages
The hourly tipped minimum wage is $2.13. If an employee’s pay plus tips equals at least $7.25 per hour, the employer is permitted to pay this rate.
Meal And Rest Periods
As per the Utah work laws breaks rules, employees who work more than 30 hours a week are entitled to a paid 10-minute rest period for every 4 hours worked and an unpaid 30-minute meal break after 5 hours.
Under the Fair Labour Standards Act (FLSA), breastfeeding mothers have the right to take the rest, including during the school day, if they are educators.
Furthermore, minors are subject to limitations under Utah labor laws for minors, which prohibit workers under the age of 16 from working during school hours, more than 4 hours before or after school, or more than 8 hours in 24 hours.
Workplace And Rights
The majority of private employers, as well as state and local governments, are covered by Utah’s workplace and rights, which has been authorized by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The state’s Occupational Safety and Health Act is administered by the Utah Occupational Safety and Health (UOSH) Division.
Employer Responsibilities
Give employees a secure environment free from known risks.
Employers are required by Utah’s workplace safety and health laws to:
- Report any fatalities, serious illnesses, or injuries at work to UOSH within 8 hours.
- Permit UOSH to conduct inspections or investigations.
- Retaliation against employees who report issues or ask for inspections should be avoided.
When appropriate, adhere to industry-specific safety and health regulations.
Employee Rights
The UOSH Act grants workers the following rights:
Request a UOSH inspection of their workplace.
- File a grievance regarding safety at work.
- Analyze the citations their employer received.
- Examine their individual records of occupational exposures or injuries.
Leave Laws In Utah
Knowing that Utah labor laws for adults are in place to ensure that employees can take time off without risking their jobs when life happens is comforting.
In Utah, most leave benefits are either subject to employer discretion or federal law. Below is a quick rundown of the different types of leave and how they impact Utah workers.
| Leave Type | Required by Law? | Details |
| Vacation Leave | No | Vacation leave, whether paid or unpaid, is not a requirement for employers. They must abide by contracts and company policy if offered. |
| Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) | Yes | Unpaid leave of up to 12 weeks per year for family care, illness, or spending time with a child. |
| Jury Duty Leave | Yes – Job Protected | Although leave does not need to be paid, employers are not allowed to fire or threaten workers for jury duty. |
| Holiday Leave | No | There is no legal obligation to take time off or receive additional compensation on public holidays |
| Military Leave | Yes | After serving in the military, workers must be returned to their positions with the same seniority and benefits. |
| Paid Sick Leave | No | There is no statewide paid sick leave law in Utah. It may be voluntarily offered by employers as a benefit. |
| Pregnancy Disability Leave | No State Law | No state-specific legislation. For conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, eligible employees under the FMLA may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. |
Child Labor Laws
Utah has put in place particular regulations to safeguard young workers while enabling them to obtain work experience. For minors working in the state, these laws establish age restrictions, work-hour limitations, and break requirements.
Minimum Age to Work
Utah has put in place particular regulations to safeguard young workers while enabling them to obtain work experience. For minors working in the state, these laws establish age restrictions, work-hour limitations, and break requirements.
Employment of Minors Act
With some exceptions, employees who are 17 years of age or younger are covered by Utah’s Employment of Minors Act. 16 and 17-year-olds are exempt from the Act if they:
- They need to complete high school
- They need to possess a certificate of school release
- They are in charge of their home
- They are wed
Age Group Restrictions on Work Hours
| Age Group | Work Hour Restrictions | Meal Breaks | Rest Breaks |
| 14–15 Years Old | – Cannot work while in school
– Not allowed before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. (extended to 9:00 p.m. from June 1–Labor Day) – Up to 3 hours per day on school days – Up to 18 hours per week during school weeks – Up to 8 hours per 24 hours – Up to 40 hours per week during non-school weeks |
– 30-minute meal break during the first five hours (paid if duties are not entirely relieved) | – 10-minute rest period every four hours – Maximum of three hours without a 10-minute break |
| 16–17 Years Old | – No restrictions on working hours
– With few exceptions, no employment in dangerous jobs |
– 30-minute meal break during the first five hours (paid if duties are not entirely relieved) | – 10-minute rest period every four hours – Maximum of three hours without a 10-minute break |
Taxes In Utah
Compared to many other states, Utah’s tax system is comparatively straightforward, with flat rates applied to both individual and corporate income.
- The individual income tax rate in Utah is a flat 4.55%.
- Utah imposes a flat corporate tax rate of 4.55% on businesses.
Turn Payroll Stress into Simplicity with Free Paystub Tools
Payroll management can quickly become a burdensome and stressful aspect of running a business. The process frequently consumes important time and energy, from figuring out earnings and deductions to ensuring that records are accurate. Both employers and employees may become confused by even minor errors.
Businesses and employees can streamline payroll with a few clicks by using a free paystub generator. Employees benefit from transparent records of their earnings and deductions, and employers receive accurate, expert pay stubs without the hassle of manual computations.
Curious Minds Also Ask
Can I work 6 hours without a lunch break in Utah?
Yes. Utah law exempts employers from providing meal or rest breaks. But if a break is shorter than twenty minutes, it needs to be compensated.
What rights do you have as an employee in Utah?
In Utah, employees are entitled to a safe workplace, compensation for all hours worked, protection from discrimination or harassment at work, and at least the minimum wage set by the state.
What are the termination laws in Utah?
Utah is an “at-will” employment state, meaning that an employer may terminate an employee at any time, with or without cause or notice, unless otherwise specified in a contract or policy.
How many hours straight can you legally work in a day in Utah?
Utah law does not limit an adult’s daily work hours. However, federal law mandates that any employee who works more than 40 hours in a workweek receive overtime pay, also known as time and a half.
Can you be fired without warning in Utah?
Yes. Employers are allowed to fire workers without cause under Utah’s at-will employment laws, provided that the termination isn’t done for illegal reasons like discrimination or retaliation.
Does PTO have to be paid out in Utah?
Unless otherwise noted in the employment contract or corporate policy, employers are not obligated by Utah law to provide or reimburse unused paid time off.
What is the WARN Act in Utah?
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act), a federal law, applies to Utah. Before conducting mass layoffs or closing a plant, some employers with more than 100 employees must provide 60 days’ notice.
What is considered a hostile work environment in Utah?
When an employee experiences severe or widespread harassment or discrimination because of protected characteristics like race, gender, religion, age, or disability, it is considered a hostile work environment.
Do you legally have to take a lunch break in Utah?
A hostile work environment occurs when an employee is subjected to severe or pervasive harassment or discrimination based on protected characteristics, such as age, gender, race, religion, or disability.
Is holiday pay mandatory in Utah?
No, Utah law does not mandate that adult workers take breaks for meals or rest. Employers are free to provide them even though the law does not require it.
What is regarded as wrongful termination in Utah?
Wrongful termination occurs when an employee is fired for illegal reasons, such as discrimination, retaliation, or breach of an employment contract.
Do I have to give 2 weeks’ notice in Utah?
No, employees are not legally required to give two weeks’ notice before leaving, even though it is considered a professional courtesy.
What is the final paycheck law in Utah?
In Utah, if an employee is fired, the employer must pay all of the employee’s wages within 24 hours. If an employee resigns, their last salary is due on the next scheduled payday.
How many days in a row can you work in Utah?
The State of Utah law does not limit the number of consecutive days that an adult can work. Employers must still follow overtime rules if employees work more than forty hours in a week.
What is the minimum wage in Utah?
Utah’s minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage.
FAQ's
How many hours is full-time in Utah?
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Utah law does not define full-time hours. Employers generally consider 32 to 40 hours per week to be full-time, depending on company policy.
Can your employer cut your pay without notice in Utah?
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Employers are allowed to change pay rates, but they must notify employees in advance before the change takes effect. Reductions cannot be applied retroactively to hours previously worked.
What are my rights as an employee in Utah?
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Workers in Utah are entitled to overtime pay for any hours over 40 in a workweek, fair compensation, a safe workplace, and freedom from harassment and discrimination.
How many hours can a minor work in Utah?
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In Utah, children between the ages of 14 and 15 are permitted to work up to three hours on school days, eighteen hours during school weeks, and forty hours during non-school weeks. Although they cannot work in dangerous jobs, minors aged 16 to 17 are not subject to hourly restrictions.
