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. South Carolina has no laws in place regarding breaks.Instead, the state defers to federal law regarding the provision of meal and rest breaks to employees. There is no requirement under South Carolina law for an employer to provide employees with breaks or a lunch period. South Carolina does not require lunch breaks. It is completely up to the employer to provide meal breaks and other additional breaks. Short rest breaks, which usually 20 minutes or less, must be paid as work time. South Carolina labor laws do not mandate employers to provide breaks or meal periods to employees. No state or federal laws require South Carolina employers to provide meal breaks or rest periods during working hours. If there is an unpaid break it has to be at least 30 minutes long and employees are free to leave for the duration of this time.