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.You cannot employ someone for a work period of more than five hours without providing an unpaid, off-duty meal period of at least 30 minutes. In the state of California, employers are required to allow an unpaid 30 minute break for eating, unless the employee voluntarily waives this. 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. The law in California states that someone can work up to 6 hours with no lunch break. In California, for example, employees are generally entitled to a meal break if they work more than 5 hours in a shift. Pennsylvania does not have any state laws regarding rest and meal breaks. As a result, the state adheres to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). You can also agree to take your meal break while on duty.