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.Employers must authorize and permit uninterrupted rest breaks for all nonexempt employees whose total daily work time is at least 3.5 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. Employees do not have to take these breaks, but they have the right to take a paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours that they work. No, this is not legal. The Labor Code says that a meal break of at least 30 minutes must be provided if the employee works more than five hours. Yes, your employer can fire you for failing to follow their directions.