Employees must be allowed a paid rest period, free from duties, of at least 10 minutes for every 4 hours worked. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day.Employers in California have to pay workers properly. In the state of Washington, every worker is entitled to a minimum paid break of 10 minutes per 4 hours on the clock. However, states like California have strict regulations, requiring employers to provide a tenminute paid break for every four hours worked. Nonexempt California employees must be given a meal or lunch break for a minimum of 30 minutes for shifts longer than five hours. In Washington, employees cannot work more than three consecutive hours without a break. Employers must "provide" 30minute meal breaks. California Labor Code Sections 226.7 and 512, as well as Section 11 of California Wage Order No. Meal Break:Employees in Washington are entitled to a 30-minute meal break, if the work period is more than five consecutive hours.