An additional 30-minute unpaid meal break when working more than 12 hours in a day. A paid 10-minute rest period for every four hours worked.Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. Under California break laws, an employee can work up to four hours without a rest break and five hours without a meal break. Nonexempt employees working more than five hours in a single shift are entitled to one 30minute unpaid meal break. Timing. You 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. According to California labor law, breaks for meals and breaks for rest are required. Most employees are entitled to a meal break every 5 hours of work. Employees must stop work entirely during this meal break in order for it not to be paid. In California, for example, employees are generally entitled to a meal break if they work more than 5 hours in a shift.