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.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. 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. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. Nonexempt California employees must be given a meal or lunch break for a minimum of 30 minutes for shifts longer than five hours. Under California law, non-exempt employees are entitled to one unpaid 30-minute meal break, and two paid 10-minute rest breaks, during a typical 8-hour shift. Events must be a minimum of 3 hours in duration (not including lunch break). Minimum Requirements. However, employees can elect to have their boss waive this lunch break if they don't work for more than six hours during the day.