In South Carolina, no law gives employees the right to time off to eat lunch (or another meal) or the right to take short breaks during the work day. Short rest breaks, which usually 20 minutes or less, must be paid as work time.There is no requirement under South Carolina law for an employer to provide employees with breaks or a lunch period. South Carolina labor laws do not require employers to provide meal breaks for employees. If there is an unpaid break it has to be at least 30 minutes long and employees are free to leave for the duration of this time. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day. South Carolina has no laws in place regarding breaks. Instead, the state defers to federal law regarding the provision of meal and rest breaks to employees. While employers are not required to offer breaks, if they do, breaks lasting less than 20 minutes must generally be paid according to federal labor standards. Does your state require employers give workers lunch breaks?