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. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar 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. Does your state require employers give workers lunch breaks? Find out the regulations on lunch break laws and rest periods here. There is no requirement under South Carolina law for an employer to provide employees with breaks or a lunch period. 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.