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California Meal & Rest Breaks
What Employers Must Know

Strict

Missing a required break in California costs you one hour of premium pay per violation.

The rule.

Law Level
Strict
Meal Break Requirement
30-min meal for 5+ hrs; 2nd meal for 10+ hrs
Rest Break Requirement
10 min per 4 hrs worked
Penalty for Violation
Premium pay: 1 hr wages per missed break
Key Notes for Employers
Most complex state. Meal breaks: 30 min, off-duty. Rest breaks: 10 min paid, every 4 hrs. Premium pay for violations is strict. On-duty meals require written agreement.

Last verified: June 2026.

What's in the Meal & Rest Break Requirements workbook

What's in the workbook

Meal & Rest Breaks — every state covered. Visible items show the chapters; locked items reveal the structural depth.

  • State Reference
  • Compliance Checklist
  • Monthly Updates
  • 🔒Policy Review
  • 🔒Compensability & Payroll
  • 🔒Recordkeeping
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