Meal breaks are unpaid unless the employee's employment contract requires payment. The Employment Standards Act (ESA) mandates that most employees must be granted a 30minute break, or eating period, for every five consecutive hours of work.The Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA) requires that all employees be granted one 30minute break for every 5 consecutive hours of work. As an employee, you are entitled to an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes during every period of 5 consecutive hours of work. Know your rights and obligations under the Employment Standards Act (ESA). For a 12hour shift in Ontario: Employers must provide two 30minute breaks during a 12hour shift, with one break every five hours of work. Labor Commissioner's Office, Wages, breaks, retaliation and labor laws, 833-526-4636. Every employee is entitled to and shall be granted an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes during every period of five consecutive hours of work. The safety of our students and employees is the top priority of the Ontario School District. Yet, it was in the midst of this turmoil that he discovered a powerful, lifechanging practice: the simple act of thankfulness.