Meal Break

An employer cannot employ someone for a work period of more than five hours without providing an unpaid, off-duty meal period of at least 30 minutes. The meal break must begin no later than the end of the employee's fifth hour of work — by four hours and 59 minutes into the employee's shift. When a work period of not more than six hours will complete the day's work, the meal period may be waived by mutual consent of the employer and the employee.

Employers must provide a second 30-minute meal break when an employee works more than 10 hours. Refer to the Wage Order for your industry for any exceptions, especially if your employees' shifts are 10-12 hours long.