California workers have many protections that aren’t present in other states. Some of these have to do with their rights to meal periods. The labor laws here require employers to provide these for adult workers as long as they work a certain number of hours per shift.
Meal periods are required to be at least 30 minutes. They aren’t paid breaks as long as the employee is completely relieved from all work duties during that entire period, and they must be free to leave the premises if they desire. If those terms aren’t met, the lunch period must be paid.
Who’s required to have a meal period?
People who work at least five hours must be provided a meal period. Those who work at least ten hours must be provided with a second meal period. These requirements are for most industries, except for the motion picture industry.
When can employees skip meal periods?
People who work five to six hours can skip their meal period. Employees who are due two meal periods because they’re working at least hours but not more than 12 hours can skip one of the meal periods. Skipping meal periods must be a mutual and voluntary decision between the employer and employee.
These requirements are meant to allow workers to have time to eat or rest during their shift, which can help to boost morale. All workers in California must know about the meal periods and rest breaks. When employers don’t comply with meal period requirements, the employee may opt to pursue legal action.