Understanding California’s 10-Minute Break Law: A Guide for Employees

California labor laws are designed to protect workers and ensure fair working conditions. One crucial aspect of these laws is the right to rest breaks, including the 10-minute break rule, which ensures employees have the opportunity to rest and recharge during their shifts. Understanding your rights under this law is essential for protecting yourself from workplace violations.

What is the 10-Minute Break Law?

Under California Labor Code § 226.7 and Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) Wage Orders, employers are required to provide paid 10-minute rest breaks to non-exempt employees for every four hours worked. These breaks are intended to allow employees a chance to rest without fear of employer retaliation or lost wages.

Employers cannot require employees to work through their rest periods and must ensure that breaks are provided at the appropriate times within a work shift. To learn more about your rights regarding rest and meal breaks in the workplace, visit our page on Rest & Meal Breaks in the Workplace.

Who is Entitled to a 10-Minute Break?

The 10-minute break rule applies to most hourly (non-exempt) employees in California.

However, there are distinctions between exempt and non-exempt employees:

• Non-exempt employees (hourly workers) are entitled to rest breaks under California law.
• Exempt employees (salaried employees who meet certain duties and salary thresholds) are typically not covered under the law.

Certain industries may have different rules, but most workers in retail, hospitality, healthcare, and other hourly jobs are entitled to these breaks.

How Often Do Employees Get a 10-Minute Break?

The number of rest breaks an employee receives depends on the total hours worked in a shift:

• 3.5 to 6 hours worked → 1 paid 10-minute break
• 6 to 10 hours worked → 2 paid 10-minute breaks
• 10+ hours worked → Additional breaks for every four hours worked

Rest breaks should be scheduled as close to the middle of the work period as possible, rather than stacked at the beginning or end of a shift.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers have a legal duty to:

• Allow employees to take their full, uninterrupted 10-minute breaks.
• Provide a suitable rest area that is separate from the workspace.
• Not discourage or retaliate against employees for taking breaks.

Employers cannot require employees to remain “on-call” during their breaks. Employees must be free of duties to fully benefit from the break.

What Happens If an Employer Fails to Provide Breaks?

If an employer does not allow a legally required break, the employee is entitled to one additional hour of pay at their regular rate for each missed break. This is known as a rest break premium under California law.

How to take action:

1. Document missed breaks – Keep track of instances where breaks were denied or interrupted.
2. Report the violation – You can file a claim with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office.
3. Seek legal advice – Employment lawyers can help recover owed wages and penalties.

Common Violations & Employee Rights

Many workers are unaware of their rights and, unfortunately, some employers take advantage of this. Common violations include:

• Forcing employees to work through breaks due to high workload or understaffing.
• Failing to schedule breaks at appropriate times, leading to skipped or shortened rest periods.
• Pressuring employees to voluntarily give up breaks to meet deadlines.

Employees have the right to refuse to work through their breaks and should not face retaliation for asserting their legal rights.

How to Report Violations & Seek Legal Help

If your employer fails to provide proper rest breaks, you can take the following steps:

1. Keep a written record – Note the dates and times when breaks were denied or interrupted.
2. Talk to your employer – Sometimes, violations happen due to mismanagement rather than intentional wrongdoing.
3. File a complaint – Submit a claim to the California Labor Commissioner’s Office.
4. Consult an employment lawyer – A legal professional can help you determine the best course of action and assist with wage claims.

California’s 10-minute break law is a crucial protection for workers, ensuring they receive proper rest throughout their shifts. If your employer denies you these breaks, you have the right to take action and seek compensation. Knowing your rights empowers you to stand up against workplace violations and demand fair treatment.If you believe your employer has violated your rest break rights, don’t hesitate to seek legal assistance and protect your workplace rights.