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. 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. It includes minimum rights with respect to hours of work, breaks and payment of travel expenses. For a 12hour shift in Ontario: Employers must provide two 30minute breaks during a 12hour shift, with one break every five hours of work. Listed below are brief descriptions of common types of child care programs in New York State. LawHelp Interactive is a website that helps you fill out legal documents for free.