California Meal and Rest Period Requirements

In California, employees working a certain amount of time must receive uninterrupted meal and rest periods. For instance, an 8-hour day employee should have one 30-minute meal period and two 10-minute breaks. If an employer does not comply with the law, they must pay one hour of penalty pay, which, over time, can add up. Additionally, they may be exposed to class action, Private Attorneys General Act, and litigated claims, which can be costly. Attorneys John Shaffery and Brian Koegle discuss the challenges employers can run into concerning meal and rest periods and make recommendations to ensure compliance.