skip to content

Start your case with an experienced Los Angeles Employment Attorney now.

Call (310) 504-1490

t

Does an employer have to give me rest breaks?

While federal law does not require employers to provide workers with meal and rest breaks, California is one of the states that does require employers to provide these breaks and for workers to be paid for some of them.

Meal Breaks: Employers in California are required to offer 30-minute meal breaks after a worker has worked five hours in a workday. Meal breaks are unpaid, and a worker can waive their right to the break in writing. If an employee works for 10 hours, they are entitled to a second 30-minute meal break, but may only waive their right to it if their workday is under 12 hours. If the nature of an employee’s work prevents them from taking a break from all duties, an employer must provide an on-duty paid meal period. Otherwise, an employee must be relieved of all duties during the meal period.

Rest Breaks: California law also requires employers to provide 10-minute rest breaks. These breaks are paid, and employers must allow workers to take one for every four hours of work. Therefore, an employee working a standard 8 hours shift is entitled to two rest breaks and one meal period. Breaks are not required for workers whose total time worked amounts to less than 3 ½ hours.

Other Employment Law FAQs:

five stars

Strong Advocates truly takes an interest in their clients. Betsy Havens and her staff are knowledgeable and professional. Betsy made me feel heard. She is very thorough, detail oriented and determined.

Rebecca A.

My experience with Betsy Havens was beyond pleasant. She is highly talented and compassionate towards others. She never gave up on me. Betsy changed my life for the better, and I would recommend her to anyone and everyone.

Adriana G.

After interviewed many attorneys for my national origin discrimination case, I finally and very luckily found this law firm. Coming from immigration lawyer background, this law firm has great enthusiasm to help new immigrant and very adequately represented me to seek for best compensation.

PC L

Betsy Havens and the team at Strong Advocates are the nicest and most professional lawyers I have ever dealt with. They truly cared about my case and put in hours above and beyond what was called for. She kept me in the loop on all the legal proceedings and took the time explain to me in clear terms what this process was going to look like.

Frank W.

Throughout the process, Betsy Havens was very understanding and compassionate, and made the difficult circumstances I was dealing with a bit easier to cope with.

Diana C.

Strong Advocates is very professional and knowledgeable. Betsy Havens listened and was very compassionate. She cares and is realistic in what can and cannot be done. She is tenacious and committed to resolve your case in a timely manner.

Helga A.

Strong Advocates truly takes an interest in their clients. Betsy Havens and her staff are knowledgeable and professional. Betsy made me feel heard. She is very thorough, detail oriented and determined.

Susi A.

I honestly was at lost about my case or if i even had a case. but coming to strong advocates was a good thing for me they helped me out so much in understanding the paper work process, which they did everything. they are amazing very professional.

Jessica S.

She helped me understand all of my options and gave me advice whenever I needed it. She was very patient and explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. She went above and beyond to help me during a tough time in my life, and I am so thankful for that!

Matthew L.

Get Your Free Analysis & Strategy

Use our confidential, secure form to tell us what happened. We are here to help.