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.Employers must authorize and permit uninterrupted rest breaks for all nonexempt employees whose total daily work time is at least 3.5 hours. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. In South Carolina, no law gives employees the right to time off to eat lunch (or another meal) or the right to take short breaks during the work day. Does your state require employers give workers lunch breaks? Find out the regulations on lunch break laws and rest periods here. There is no requirement under South Carolina law for an employer to provide employees with breaks or a lunch period. Classified employees working a period of seven (7) hours or more are entitled to a meal period and morning and afternoon rest periods. Short rest breaks, which usually 20 minutes or less, must be paid as work time.