Overtime and Break Laws in New Brunswick (2026)
Employment Standards Act (SNB 1982, c E-7.2); General Regulation 91-191 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act · Reviewed 2026-10 · Private-sector employees
Overtime
Overtime after 44 hours in a week at 1.5x the MINIMUM wage ($23.85 an hour from April 1, 2026), not 1.5x the employee's own rate. No daily overtime.
Breaks and lunch
At least a half-hour for food and rest after each 5 consecutive hours of work. The rule does not say it must be paid.
Overtime in New Brunswick
- 1.5x pay for hours past 44 in a week.
- The premium is tied to minimum wage, so an employee earning more than minimum wage is owed at least $23.85 an hour for overtime, not 1.5x their rate (unless a contract says so).
- Banking hours instead of overtime pay is not permitted.
- Employers can require overtime.
- Weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, on a Sunday where possible.
What two weeks of work come to
Worked out by the rule above (1.5x after 44h in a week). Hours.
| Two weeks of | Regular | Overtime (1.5x) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days of 8 hours, two weeks (80h) | 80 | 0 |
| 5 days of 10 hours, two weeks (100h) | 88 | 12 |
| 6 days of 9 hours, two weeks (108h) | 88 | 20 |
| 50 hours, then 30 hours (80h) | 74 | 6 |
Breaks and lunch in New Brunswick
- Meal break: 1 × 30 minutes, unpaid, for shifts of 5 hours or more.
- Meal break: 2 × 30 minutes, unpaid, for shifts of 10 hours or more.
| Shift | Rest breaks | Meal break |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | None | None |
| 6 hours | None | 1 × 30 min, unpaid |
| 8 hours | None | 1 × 30 min, unpaid |
| 10 hours | None | 2 × 30 min, unpaid |
| 12 hours | None | 2 × 30 min, unpaid |
- The break comes from the Occupational Health and Safety General Regulation 91-191, s. 8, not the Employment Standards Act.
- Weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, Sunday where possible, except emergencies or employees usually working 3 hours a day or less.
Pay by New Brunswick rules in Kloqk
Kloqk is a free time clock. In Settings, open Payroll, press Rules by country and pick New Brunswick: the overtime and break rules above fill in, and every timesheet, report and payroll export follows them. Change any number to match your own contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the overtime rule in New Brunswick?
Overtime after 44 hours in a week at 1.5x the MINIMUM wage ($23.85 an hour from April 1, 2026), not 1.5x the employee's own rate. No daily overtime.
What breaks are required in New Brunswick?
At least a half-hour for food and rest after each 5 consecutive hours of work. The rule does not say it must be paid.