Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. There is no law requiring an employer to provide breaks, including lunch breaks.Minors under 18 must receive a 30 minute break for every 5 hours of work. Meal break: California mandates a 30minute unpaid meal break for employees working more than five hours. Our ESS unit handles an array of employment issues, including, but not limited to, enforcement of laws concerning wages and time off. For example, California requires one paid 10minute rest period for every 4 hours worked. When employers do offer short breaks, usually lasting between five to 20 minutes, the breaks must be considered work time and employees are paid for the time. Maryland law does require that employees 17 and younger must be given a meal or rest period of at least 30 minutes if they have worked for five hours or more. Maryland law does not require adult employees to have meal breaks. 30-min breaks after working for more than 5 continuous hours — refers to 14 and 15-year olds.