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. 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.Nonexempt employees are entitled to an unpaid meal or lunch break lasting a minimum of 30 minutes for shifts exceeding five hours. Nonexempt California employees must be given a meal or lunch break for a minimum of 30 minutes for shifts longer than five hours. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. If you have worked less than 6 hours in a day, you can agree to forego your meal break. You can also agree to take your meal break while on duty. However, it's important to know that no part of California's employment law grants an employee the right to skip a break so that they can leave their job early. A: Meal break laws require employers to provide a 30-minute, duty-free meal time for employees who work a minimum of 5 consecutive hours. This violates California law.