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.As an employee, you are entitled to an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes during every period of 5 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. 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. Know your rights and obligations under the Employment Standards Act (ESA). The Canada Labour Code requires that all federally regulated employees be granted one 30minute meal break for every 5 consecutive hours of work. Easy ordering, sweet rewards. Save time when you order with our app. And what can we do about it in a work culture that prides itself on productivity?