Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. Although breaks are not required, employers must pay employees for time they spend working and for shorter breaks during the day.Does your state require employers give workers lunch breaks? Find out the regulations on lunch break laws and rest periods here. There is no law in Virginia requiring employers to provide a dedicated meal break. Virginia law mandates meal breaks for minors under 16 years. If you are working fewer than 7.5 hours, no lunch break is required. 30minute lunch break (offpremises) per 8hour shift. In general, the State of Virginia has no law regulating meal breaks or rest periods. Firstly, employees working over five hours must receive a 30-minute meal break, unpaid, where they are free from any work duties.