Are employers obligated to provide rest and meal breaks?

Yes, employers in California are legally obligated to provide rest and meal breaks to their employees. California law requires employers to provide employees with an unpaid, 30-minute meal break after every five hours of work. This break must be uninterrupted and must also take place in an enclosed area, away from the workspace. In addition, employees must be completely relieved of their work-related duties during this time. If the employee works more than 10 hours in a single day, employers must provide them with an additional, unpaid 30-minute meal break. Furthermore, California law also requires employers to provide employees with rest breaks every four hours of work. Employees must be given 10 minutes of rest for every four hours worked, which must be provided in the middle of the work period if possible. During this time, employees must also be completely relieved of their work duties and should not be asked or required to do any work. Failure to provide these breaks is considered a violation of the law, and employers can be subject to penalties for non-compliance.

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