Non-Exempt Workers are Entitled to Uninterrupted Meal Breaks

California Code of Regulations, Title 8 Section 11020(12) requires that employees receive a meal period if they work more than 5 consecutive hours, and the meal period must be at least 30 minutes. 

During this meal period, the employee is supposed to be relieved of all duties. California Labor Code Section 226.7 provides that employers may not require their employees to work through meal periods.

California Labor Code Section 226.7 and Title 8 Section 11020(11) require that if the employer fails to provide the employee with a meal period they must pay the employee one hour of pay each time that meal period is not provided. Additionally, California Labor Code Section 512 sets forth schedules and requirements that employees receive meal breaks.