Can I waive my second lunch break in California?

Meal Breaks An employee who works ten hours is entitled to a second 30-minute unpaid meal break. If the entire workday will not exceed 12 hours, the employee may waive the right to a second meal break. However, the second break may be waived only if the employee actually took the first break.

How does California meal waiver work?

If an employee’s shift is six hours or less, the meal period may be waived by mutual consent of the employer and employee. So, if an employee works six-and-one-half hours, she and her employer are prohibited from a meal break waiver.

What is the California meal break law?

Under California law, non-exempt employees are entitled to one unpaid 30-minute meal break, and two paid 10-minute rest breaks, during a typical 8-hour shift. Employees must receive their off-duty meal breaks before the end of the fifth hour of work.

What does a meal waiver mean?

Typically, meal waivers are written agreements signed by both employee and employer that state the employee agrees to waive their right to a mandatory meal period if the length of their shift qualifies them to do so. Mutual Consent Best Practices: Meal Waivers.

How do I avoid a meal penalty in California?

California Meal Break Law Requirements If you work over 5 hours in a day, you are entitled to a meal break of at least 30 minutes that must start before the end of the fifth hour of your shift. BUT, you can agree with your boss to waive this meal period provided you do not work more than 6 hours in the workday.

Can rest breaks be waived in California?

An employee can waive the second meal period only if all of the following conditions are met: The total hours worked on that workday are not more than 12. You and the employee mutually consent. The first meal break of the workday was not waived.

Can meal breaks be waived in California?

Can I waive my meal break in California?

Yes, employees in California can officially waive their lunch breaks, but only if they work for less than six hours. Employees who choose to work through their lunch do so somewhat more unofficially.

Can I waive my 10 minute break in California?

Hours Worked Employers should provide employees a suitable location for their 10-minute rest periods. As an employee, you have the ability to waive your right to this rest break; however, your employer cannot pressure you into doing so. The decision must be yours and yours alone.

What is the California meal penalty?

The penalty an employer must pay for violating California meal and rest break law is 1-hour’s wages for each day a rest break wasn’t given, and an additional 1-hour’s wages for each day a meal break wasn’t given.

What happens if I miss my meal break?

The maximum penalty for missed meal breaks and missed rest breaks is two hours of pay per day, no matter how many meal or rest breaks were missed in the day. The additional pay for missed meal or rest breaks must be included in the employee’s next paycheck.