Employers in California have to pay workers properly. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day.Under California break laws, an employee can work up to four hours without a rest break and five hours without a meal break. If you work over 5 hours in a day, you are entitled to a meal break of at least 30 minutes that must start before the end of the fifth hour of your shift. Employers must "provide" 30minute meal breaks. California Labor Code Sections 226.7 and 512, as well as Section 11 of California Wage Order No. If you work at least 3.5 hours in a day, you are entitled to one rest break. If you work over 6 hours, you are entitled to a second rest break. Employers must provide a second meal break of no fewer than 30 minutes for all workdays on which an employee works more than 10 hours. For more information on California minimum wage.