Tennessee Labor Laws

Tennessee Labor Laws: Every Rule With Its 2026 Figure — Best Proven Guide (2026)

By Oleg Kachko · Updated October 8, 2026
✓ Verified October 2026

Tennessee labor laws in one place: the minimum wage is No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers, no state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5…, 30 minutes for anyone scheduled for 6 consecutive hours or more, not during the first hour (tipped…, no paid sick leave is required,

and the final paycheck is due next regular payday or within 21 days, whichever is later if you are fired.

This guide gives the exact tennessee labor laws rule with the date we verified it, the statute, and what to do next. Rules verified against the statute on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Labor Standards Unit or an attorney before you rely on it.

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Tennessee Labor Laws at a Glance

Minimum wage No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers
Overtime No state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate
Meal break 30 minutes for anyone scheduled for 6 consecutive hours or more, not during the first hour (tipped food-service workers…
Paid sick leave No state mandate
Final paycheck if fired Next regular payday or within 21 days, whichever is later
PTO paid out Only if the employer’s policy provides it
Non compete Enforceable if reasonable (common law)
Right to work Yes
At-will Yes

Tennessee Labor Laws: Minimum Wage and Overtime

The minimum wage is No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers. No state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate. No daily overtime in Tennessee — only the weekly total counts. Tennessee has no state overtime law; the federal 40-hour rule applies.

⚠ Tennessee labor laws at a glance: minimum wage No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers; overtime no state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek…; right-to-work state; at-will.

Tennessee Labor Laws: Breaks and Lunch

30 minutes for anyone scheduled for 6 consecutive hours or more, not during the first hour (tipped food-service workers may waive in writing). No Tennessee law requires paid rest breaks; under the federal FLSA any short break of 5 to 20 minutes an employer does give must be paid.

Tennessee Labor Laws at a Glance

Rules verified against the statute on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Labor Standards Unit or an attorney before you rely on it. The statute row is where to check it yourself.

Minimum wage No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers
Overtime No state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate
Meal break 30 minutes for anyone scheduled for 6 consecutive hours or more, not during the first hour (tipped food-service workers…
Paid sick leave No state mandate
Final paycheck if fired Next regular payday or within 21 days, whichever is later
PTO paid out Only if the employer’s policy provides it
Non compete Enforceable if reasonable (common law)
Right to work Yes
At-will Yes

Tennessee Labor Laws: Hours Worked, 12-Hour Shifts and Days of Rest

NONE. Tennessee has no general state limit on 12-hour shifts or mandatory overtime for adult workers, including nurses, and overtime pay generally follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Confirm the details of your situation with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Tennessee Labor Laws for 16 and 17 Year Olds

Under the Tennessee Child Labor Act, 16- and 17-year-olds may not work during the hours they are required to be in class, or between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am on Sunday through Thursday nights before a school day. With a signed parental consent form, a minor may work until midnight on up to three of those nights per week.

Minors under 18 also may not serve alcohol, sell door to door, or do jobs the state classifies as hazardous.

Tennessee Labor Laws: Sick Leave and PTO

No Tennessee law requires paid sick leave; the employer’s own policy or a union contract controls, and the federal FMLA gives up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave at employers of 50 or more. Final wages include vacation pay or compensatory time owed under company policy or a labor agreement (50-2-103(a)(3)); if the policy promises it, it is owed.

Tennessee Labor Laws: Final Paycheck

Next regular payday or within 21 days, whichever is later if the employer ends the job; next regular payday or within 21 days, whichever is later if you quit. Penalty: no damages multiplier in the statute; a violation is a misdemeanor and the department can assess civil penalties (50-2-107); the wages are recovered in court.

Tennessee Labor Laws: Non Compete, Right to Work and At-Will

Tennessee has no general non compete statute; courts disfavor non competes but enforce one that is reasonable in time and area and protects a legitimate interest beyond ordinary competition (special training, trade secrets, customer relationships), and they may modify an overbroad covenant.

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For health-care providers a 2007 statute deems a written restriction reasonable if it lasts no more than two years and covers no more than the greater of a 10-mile radius or the county of the primary practice site — and it does not bind a provider who has been with the employer six years or more.

Yes — Tennessee is a right-to-work state: you cannot be required to join a union or pay union dues or fees to get or keep a job, though a union contract still covers you. Tennessee is an at-will state: either side may end the job at any time for any lawful reason.

Tennessee Labor Laws: Required Posters

The state generally requires employers to display the TOSHA Safety and Health poster, the Tennessee Unemployment Insurance poster, the Wage Regulation/Child Labor poster, and the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Posting Notice. Employers with more than one location must put up a separate workers’ compensation notice at each site. Posters should hang where employees can see them, such as a break room or time-clock area, and the department provides them free.

Other Tennessee Labor Laws to Know

Tennessee generally requires employers to give an unpaid meal or rest break to employees scheduled for a long stretch of consecutive hours. The break cannot be scheduled during or before the first hour of the shift. Most workers covered by this rule can confirm the details with the Labor Standards Division.

Every rule on this page has its own guide — and the wage-claim agency enforces most of them for free.

Contact Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Labor Standards Unit

Tennessee — the bottom line

  • Tennessee labor laws start with the minimum wage (No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers) and overtime no state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek….
  • Under tennessee labor laws the final paycheck, breaks and sick leave each have a rule with a date — the links on this page go to each one.
  • Tennessee labor laws are enforced mostly by a free wage claim; the attorney question arises only for wrongful termination and non competes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage under Tennessee labor laws?

No state minimum wage; the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers.

When is overtime owed under Tennessee labor laws?

No state weekly trigger — the federal FLSA rule: after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate. No daily overtime in Tennessee — only the weekly total counts.

Are breaks required under Tennessee labor laws?

30 minutes for anyone scheduled for 6 consecutive hours or more, not during the first hour (tipped food-service workers may waive in writing).

Is paid sick leave required under Tennessee labor laws?

No state mandate.

When is my final paycheck due under Tennessee labor laws?

Next regular payday or within 21 days, whichever is later.

Official Tennessee Sources & Resources

This tennessee labor laws guide was last verified against official Tennessee sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.

More Tennessee Workplace Rights Guides

Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. My Unemployment Rights is an independent educational resource, not a government agency and not a law firm. Final-paycheck deadlines, penalties and non compete rules change — every figure here carries the date we verified it. Confirm the current rule with your state labor department or a licensed attorney before you act.

Hurt at work before you lost the job? See whether workers comp or unemployment applies at Workers Comp Explained. Denied unemployment because you cannot work? Social Security disability may be the right program - start at Disability Claim Info. Lost income and worried about rent? Know your rights before an eviction notice arrives at Tenant Rights Info.