In general, employers must provide at least 30 minutes of unpaid time off if an employee works more than 6 hours. Employee meal breaks are required to be at least 30 minutes if an employee works six hours anywhere throughout New York state.Non-Factory Workers are entitled to a 30-minute lunch break between a.m. and. Employees are entitled to a 45-minute break for shifts more than 6 consecutive hours that begin between 1 p.m. Technically, you can't waive the lunch break as it's part of employment law in NY. You are required to have a 30 minute break for every 5.5 hours of work. Federal law does not require lunch or coffee breaks. In the United States, federal law doesn't require your employer to give you any breaks. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. New York law does not require employers to give employees a rest break.