Governor Pritzker, last week, signed into law changes to the One Day Rest in Seven Act. The changes to One Day Rest in Seven Act mandates that an employer must offer a worker day of rest every seven days and a meal or rest breaks during daily work shifts. The changes enacted are intended to modernize the day of rest requirements for workers whose schedules don’t align with a Sunday to Saturday calendar week.  The new requirements now apply to any consecutive seven-day period, on a rolling, ongoing basis. The changes also require an additional 20-minute break for workers working in excess of 8 hours. 

The new law also updates penalties for bad actors.  Employers with fewer than 25 employees that violate the act now can face a penalty of $250 per offense (up from $25) and damages up to $250 per offense. Employers with 25 or more employees that violate the act can face a penalty of $500 per offense and damages up to $500 per offense.

Every employer covered by the Act must post a notice at the workplace to notify employees of their rights under this Act. IDOL will provide this notice on its website for employers to download and post.

The changes will take effect January 1, 2023, giving employers time to update meal and rest break policies and remain in compliance with the law.