Most California workers must receive the following breaks: An uninterrupted 30-minute unpaid meal break when working more than five hours in a day. An additional 30-minute unpaid meal break when working more than 12 hours in a day.
California Rest Break Law Chart Hours on the ClockRest Breaks – 6 hrs 1 – 10 hrs 2 – 14 hrs 3 – 18 hrs 42 more rows
California requires employers to provide employees with ten-minute rest breaks for every four hours (or major fraction) worked. Anything over two hours is a “major fraction” of a four-hour period.
Under California labor laws, every worker who is working at least five hours per day must be provided with a meal break of at least 30 minutes by their employer. If the entire work day lasts no more than six hours, the meal break may be waived if both the employee and the employer consent to do so.
You are allowed to skip a 15-minute break at work if you want, but it needs to be your decision. Your employer cannot force you to skip your break. California labor laws require employers to provide the opportunity for their employees to take breaks. Legally, you do not have to take them if you don't want to.
Meal and Break Obligations In California. You cannot employ someone for more than five hours without providing an unpaid, off-duty meal period of at least 30 minutes. The first meal period must be provided no later than the end of the employee's fifth hour of work.
If you have seen or experienced wide spread labor law violations you can Report a Labor Law Violations with the Labor Commissioner's Office. For any questions on your rights, please call 833-LCO-INFO (833-526-4636).
Contact DIR to request an interpreter over the phone: Office NameTopicPhone Numbers Cal/OSHA Workplace Safety and Health 833-579-0927 Labor Commissioner's Office Wages, breaks, retaliation and labor laws 833-526-4636 Division of Workers' Compensation Benefits for work-related injuries and illnesses 1-800-736-74011 more row
California Rest Break Law Chart Hours on the ClockRest Breaks – 6 hrs 1 – 10 hrs 2 – 14 hrs 3 – 18 hrs 42 more rows
For an 8-hour work shift, employees are entitled to a minimum 20-minute uninterrupted break if they work more than six hours. The break should not be taken at the beginning or end of the shift, and employees must be allowed to take it away from their workstation.