Meal and Rest Break Laws in California
Whether California law requires meal or rest breaks for adult employees.
Short answer: Required. A 30-minute meal break for work periods over 5 hours (can be waived by mutual consent if the workday is no more than 6 hours), provided by the end of the fifth hour; Cal. Labor Code § 512; IWC Wage Orders; California Labor Commissioner, Meal Periods and Rest Periods FAQs
| Meal and rest breaks | Required. A 30-minute meal break for work periods over 5 hours (can be waived by mutual consent if the workday is no more than 6 hours), provided by the end of the fifth hour; a second 30-minute meal break for workdays over 10 hours (can be waived if the workday is no more than 12 hours and the first break was not waived). A paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked or major fraction of 4 hours (more than 2 hours). Rest period rules: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_restperiods.htm |
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Where to get help in California
- California Labor Commissioner's Office (Division of Labor Standards Enforcement), Department of Industrial Relations
- File a complaint or claim
More California employment law
- Minimum Wage in California
- Final Paycheck Laws in California
- Wrongful Termination in California
- Paid Sick Leave in California
- Non-Compete Agreements in California
- All California employment law rules
FAQ
Are breaks required by law in California?
Required. A 30-minute meal break for work periods over 5 hours (can be waived by mutual consent if the workday is no more than 6 hours), provided by the end of the fifth hour; a second 30-minute meal break for workdays over 10 hours (can be waived if the workday is no more than 12 hours and the first break was not waived). A paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked or major fraction of 4 hours (more than 2 hours).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.