Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. Employers must provide a second meal break of no fewer than 30 minutes for all workdays on which an employee works more than 10 hours.Meal breaks, typically lasting 30 minutes or more, do not have to be paid, provided the employee is completely relieved from duty. The California Labor Code requires employers to provide non-exempt employees with a 30-minute, uninterrupted, and off-duty break for every 5 hours of work. If you work over 5 hours in a day, you are entitled to a meal break of at least 30 minutes that must start before the end of the fifth hour of your shift. This manual is designed to assist hiring managers with appropriate hiring processes and. Human Resources practices. Federal law does not require lunch or coffee breaks. There is no requirement under South Carolina law for an employer to provide employees with breaks or a lunch period. An additional 30minute unpaid meal break when working more than 12 hours in a day.