Meal breaks are unpaid unless the employee's employment contract requires payment. Most employees (there are some exemptions) can take one 30minute break for a meal, after their first 5 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. Employees are not entitled to a break but must be permitted to use the bathroom. The Canada Labour Code requires that all federally regulated employees be granted one 30minute meal break for every 5 consecutive hours of work. Every employee and student intern is entitled to 30minute breaks, except for employees who are excluded from the Code's hours of work provisions. The Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA) requires that all employees be granted one 30minute break for every 5 consecutive hours of work. 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. You may also fill out an online Service Request form on our website at any time. In New Jersey, employers are required to pay employees for breaks under 20 minutes in duration.