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.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. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. Nonexempt California employees must be given a meal or lunch break for a minimum of 30 minutes for shifts longer than five hours. Under California law, non-exempt employees are entitled to one unpaid 30-minute meal break, and two paid 10-minute rest breaks, during a typical 8-hour shift. Events must be a minimum of 3 hours in duration (not including lunch break). Minimum Requirements.