Meal breaks are unpaid unless the employee's employment contract requires payment. The Employment Standards Act (ESA) mandates that most employees must be granted a 30minute break, or eating period, for every five consecutive hours of work.You're only entitled to a 30 minute unpaid meal break every FIVE HOURS. This needs to change. The Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA) requires that all employees be granted one 30minute break for every 5 consecutive hours of work. For a 12hour shift in Ontario: Employers must provide two 30minute breaks during a 12hour shift, with one break every five hours of work. Most employees (there are some exemptions) can take one 30minute break for a meal, after their first 5 hours of work. As an employee, you are entitled to an unpaid break of at least 30 minutes during every period of 5 consecutive hours of work. The Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA) requires that all employees be granted one 30minute meal break for every 5 consecutive hours of work. This Ontario, NY, group is for current or former residents, Ontario town businesses, or anyone with a sincere interest in the community.