A 30minute meal break must be provided no later than 5 hours into a shift, though it can be waived for workdays 6 hours or less. The law applies only to non-exempt employees, i.e.Forced to work through your unpaid meal break? Our Tyler lunch break violations lawyer is here to assist you through the legal process. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. How many breaks in a 12-hour shift in Texas? Texas law does not mandate any breaks in an 8-hour shift. No, there is no law mandating 15 minute breaks in the state of Texas. The answer, in short, is yes. First, Texas is an At-will employment state.