The North Carolina Wage and Hour Act does not require mandatory rest breaks or meal breaks for employees 16 years of age or older. Neither federal nor North Carolina labor laws require employers to give employees rest or meal breaks if they are over the age of 16.North Carolina employers aren't legally required to give lunch breaks or rest breaks. Employers in North Carolina are not required to provide rest breaks or meal breaks for employees aged 16 and older. North Carolina law does not require mandatory meal breaks or rest breaks for employees who are age 16 or older. Breaks should not interrupt continuous work if it lasts less than 30 minutes and is not deductible from wages. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. Employers must provide a minimum 30-minute break after any period of five consecutive hours of work. North Carolina Law on Lunch Breaks Are They Mandatory? Recently, I've been researching state lunch and break laws, as well as other workhour related issues.