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. Every nonexempt employee who has worked over five hours in a day is obligated to receive a meal break.Under California law, employees who work more than 5 hours are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break. Under Labor Code 512, non-exempt employees who work more than 5 hours per day must receive a minimum meal break of 30 minutes. 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 break can be waived if your work day isn't longer than 6 hours. This violates California law. If they have worked between five and six hours in a day, they receive one 30minute meal break. The mission of the California Labor Commissioner's Office is to ensure a just day's pay in every workplace in the State and to promote economic justice. 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.