CONNECT WITH US
CONNECT WITH US

Meal and Rest Breaks

Meal and Rest Breaks

Missed Meal or Rest Breaks? We’ll Fight to Get You Paid.

Experienced California Employment Lawyers for Break Violations

If your employer denied you uninterrupted meal or rest breaks, they may be violating California labor law—and you may be entitled to premium compensation.

California law requires that qualifying employees receive:

  • A 30-minute uninterrupted meal break for shifts over five hours

  • A 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked

You’re not required to eat during these breaks—but your employer is required to give you the time. Too often, workers are pressured to work through them or “clock out” without real rest. Employers often ignore the rules, knowing many workers aren’t aware of their rights.

Not Sure About Your Rights? Let’s Talk

The circumstances of every case are different, but these are some of the recent settlements we won for our clients:

Employment Wins

Employment Case Results

$120,000 .

Failure to pay overtime wages and provide meal breaks

Disclaimer: This results do not guarantee a specific outcome in your case.

What We Do

At Remedy Law Group, our experienced California employment lawyers can:

  • Review your work schedule and pay records

  • Calculate what you’re owed under state law

  • Build a case for unpaid premiums, penalties, and legal fees

  • Represent you in court, arbitration, or settlement negotiations

Whether your employer is a large corporation or a small business, we have the legal tools—and the personal dedication—to hold them accountable.

Talk to a California Break Violation Lawyer Today

Contact us for a free consultation

We Don’t Get Paid Until You Get Paid.

Based in Los Angeles, we represent clients throughout California, including Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. We focus exclusively on Employment Law. Specializing in employment law allows us to fight even harder for our clients.

To schedule your free consultation, call us at (866) 653-1604 or send us an email at info@remedylawgroup.com. We want to help you!
Disclaimer*

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

Frequently Asked Questions

California law generally requires employers to provide meal and rest breaks to non-exempt employees during the workday. Most employees are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break when working more than five hours and a paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked or major fraction thereof.

A violation may occur when an employer fails to provide timely, uninterrupted, or duty-free breaks. This can include requiring employees to work during breaks, remain on call, or miss breaks because of workload demands.

Most non-exempt employees in California are entitled to meal and rest breaks under state labor laws. Eligibility may vary depending on job classification and specific work responsibilities.

No. Meal breaks must generally be uninterrupted and free from work duties. Employees should not be required to answer calls, monitor equipment, respond to messages, or continue working during a lawful meal period.

Yes. California law may require employers to provide one additional hour of pay for each workday that a compliant meal or rest break was not provided.

Possibly. Employers cannot pressure employees, create unrealistic workloads, or otherwise discourage workers from taking legally required breaks. In some situations, employees may still have a claim even if they did not formally request a break.

Evidence may include time records, schedules, pay stubs, emails, text messages, witness statements, or documentation showing missed, shortened, delayed, or interrupted breaks.

Yes. Employees may be able to recover premium pay, penalties, interest, attorneys’ fees, and other compensation available under California wage and hour laws.

Employees should document missed or interrupted breaks, preserve schedules and payroll records, avoid altering timecards, and seek legal guidance to better understand their rights.

While legal representation is not required, an experienced employment lawyer can review payroll records, calculate damages, gather evidence, and help pursue compensation for meal and rest break violations.

CONNECT WITH US