Employees must be allowed a meal period when they work more than five hours in a shift. Workers have a right to at least a 30minute meal break or each 6 hours worked in a calendar day.According to Washington employee break laws, employees are entitled to a paid rest break of at least 10 minutes for every 4 hours that they work. Does your state require employers give workers lunch breaks? Find out the regulations on lunch break laws and rest periods here. An employee should receive two 10-minute rest breaks and one 30-minute meal break during an 8-hour shift. How many breaks in a 12-hour shift in Washington? If you are working fewer than 7.5 hours, no lunch break is required. No employee may be required to work more than five consecutive hours without a meal break. A 30-min paid meal break for minor employees for every 5 consecutive hours.