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How Many Days in a Row Can You Work in Washington State

When it comes to how many days in a row you can work in Washington State, the answer is not as clear-cut as one might think. This is because the laws and regulations that govern how many hours an employee can work in a given day, week, or month vary between different industries and types of jobs.

Washington State Labor Laws

In Washington State, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the primary law that governs labor standards. The FLSA sets requirements for minimum wage, overtime pay, and the number of hours that employees can work in a day, week, or month.

Under the FLSA, employers are not allowed to require employees to work more than 40 hours in a week without paying overtime. This means that employers cannot require employees to work more than 8 hours in a day or more than 6 days in a row without paying overtime.

Industry and Job Type Regulations

However, the FLSA does not always apply to every industry or job type in Washington State. Certain industries, such as retail, hospitality, and construction may have their own regulations and laws governing the number of hours employees can work.

Similarly, certain job types may have their own laws and regulations. For example, in Washington State, commercial truck drivers are limited to 14 hours of driving in a day, and no more than 70 hours of driving in an 8-day period.

Exemptions

In some cases, employers may be able to obtain an exemption from the FLSA in order to require employees to work more than 40 hours in a week. The most common exemptions are those for executive, administrative, and professional employees.

In order to obtain an exemption, employers must meet certain requirements and submit the necessary paperwork to the Department of Labor and Industries.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the answer to the question of how many days in a row an employee can work in Washington State depends on the industry and job type. Employers must be aware of the applicable laws and regulations and ensure that they comply with them. In some cases, employers may be able to obtain an exemption from the FLSA in order to require employees to work more than 40 hours in a week.