Meal break laws in California

If you have non exempt employees in California, there are strict meal and rest break rules you need to abide by.

Meal breaks

Employees who work more than five (5) hours in a day are entitled to a thirty (30) minute meal break. In addition, employees who are working more than ten (10) hours in a day must also be given a second thirty (30) minute meal break. These breaks do not have to be paid time.

Rest breaks

Rest breaks/rest periods are also required under California labor regulations. The length of required rest periods must be at least ten (10) minutes for each four (4) hours. These rest breaks must be counted as time worked and must be paid time.