Meal and Rest Break Rights in California: Are You Protected?

January 23, 2026

You work hard. Day in and day out, you show up, putting in the hours, juggling deadlines, customers, and expectations. But between all that hustle, you’re still human. You need time to breathe, eat, and reset. 

That’s why California law protects your right to take breaks, and if your employer is denying you that time, they could be breaking the law. 

At Abramson Labor Group, we’ve helped countless California workers stand up against unfair labor practices, especially when it comes to meals and rest breaks. Here’s what every employee should know. 

Meal Breaks: You Deserve Them 

If you work more than five hours a day, California law says you’re entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break. If your shift lasts over ten hours, you’re owed a second meal break. 

And here’s the key: 

• You must be completely relieved of all duties during that time. 
• You can’t be pressured to “work through lunch.” 
• You can’t be told to eat at your desk while answering calls or emails. 

If your employer denies you a meal break or interrupts it, they may owe you one extra hour of pay for each day the violation occurs. 

Rest Breaks: Short, Paid, and Protected 

California law also gives you the right to a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked (or major fraction thereof). 

That means: 

• Work 3.5 to 6 hours? You get one rest break. 
• Work over 6 hours, up to 10? You get two rest breaks. 
• Work longer? You get more. 

These breaks must be duty-free, meaning your employer can’t expect you to multitask or “stay available.” This time is yours, no strings attached. 

If You’re Missing Breaks, You’re Not Alone 

Too often, employers cut corners. They’ll say, “We’re short-staffed today,” or “You can eat while you work.”  

Many California employees don’t realize that skipped or interrupted breaks add up to real compensation owed. If this sounds familiar, you may be entitled to recover those missed wages, and more. 

Your employer doesn’t get to decide whether you “deserve” a break. When those rights are ignored, you deserve someone in your corner. 

At Abramson Labor Group, we help workers push back against unfair treatment and reclaim the time and respect they’re owed. 

Reach out today for your free intake evaluation. 

Your rights aren’t optional, and we’re here to help you enforce them.