Meal breaks are unpaid unless the employee's employment contract requires payment. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day.Every employee is entitled to and shall be granted an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes during every period of five consecutive hours of work. A 30minute meal break must be provided no later than 5 hours into a shift, though it can be waived for workdays 6 hours or less. The Employment Standards Act (ESA) mandates that most employees must be granted a 30minute break, or eating period, for every five consecutive hours of work. The Employment Standards Act, 2000 applies to all employees whose work is to be performed in Ontario and their employers. Ontario Labour laws state: An employee must not work for more than five hours in a row without getting a 30minute eating period (meal break) free from work. Under Texas law, there is no requirement for an employer to provide a meal period or break to its employees. Find a job— and limitless opportunities. From Job Offer to Full-Time.