Although breaks are not required, employers must pay employees for time they spend working and for shorter breaks during the day. Unlike other states, Virginia does not have a statewide law mandating meal or rest breaks for adult employees. .Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. In Virginia, state law does not require employers to provide breaks or meal periods to employees, with a few exceptions: 1. Discretionary Breaks. In Virginia, state law does not require employers to provide breaks, including lunch or coffee breaks, for workers 16 years of age and older. For employees over 16, breaks are not required, but if provided, breaks of 20 minutes or less must be compensated. These states also require that a 30 minute lunch break also be given, usually unpaid time. It is not always up to the employer. Most employers provide their employees with a paid or unpaid lunch break, and some provide additional rest break periods.