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. An additional 30-minute unpaid meal break when working more than 12 hours in a day.A paid 10-minute rest period for every four hours worked. You may not require an employee to work for a period of more than five hours per day without providing them with a 30-minute unpaid meal break. Workers who work over five hours in one day are eligible for a meal break of thirty (30) minutes. 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. A work shift exceeding six hours will not allow you to have the 30-minute break. If you qualify for a meal break, you must be given 30 minutes of meal time that must be taken before the end of the fifth hour of your shift. The California Labor codes accord meal breaks for non-exempt employees who work for three and a half hours (or more) in a day. California labor laws (labor regulations or Labor Code) enable you to sue your employer if your employer prevents you from taking your break.