California Meal & Rest Break Rules
A 30-minute meal period when work is more than 5 hours.
The rule
Labor Code section 512 says an employer may not employ someone for a work period of more than five hours without a meal period of at least 30 minutes. If the work period is no more than six hours, the meal period may be waived by mutual consent. A second 30-minute meal period is required when work is more than 10 hours. That second meal period may be waived by mutual consent only if the total hours are no more than 12 and the first meal period was not waived. The DIR says the employee must be relieved of all duty. An on-duty meal period is allowed only when the nature of the work prevents relief and there is a written agreement, and it counts as time worked.
Wording left as it was
This review could not confirm the next point from an official source, so it is unchanged:
CA mandates strict meal/rest breaks.
What employers must do
Provide the meal period. Do not pressure people to skip it. A missed meal period can be owed as paid time. Rest-break length was not reconfirmed from a page opened in this review, so it is not stated here.
Effective dates
Section 512 is current. No January 1, 2027 change to the five-hour meal rule was on the statute page.
What this means for BOSS partners and associates
BOSS is often the employer of record for the associate. Wage, break, leave, posting, and tax rules usually follow the state where the associate works. Tell BOSS that state before the assignment starts. Associates should record every hour worked on the timesheet. Do not promise a pay practice, a leave bank, or a posting the statute does not require.
Questions? Contact BOSS Support at support@backofficenow.com.
Sources
This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check with BOSS Support or your own counsel for your situation.