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Breaks are important and protected by law. We all have to take and record them accurately.

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Meal Breaks (Unpaid)

A meal break is an unpaid, off-duty break when you are clocked out and free from all work responsibilities. It’s an opportunity to recharge, refuel, and take care of any personal needs. If you work 5+ hours in a day, you are entitled to a 30-minute unpaid meal break.

To stay focused and professional—and to keep break times meaningful—team members should not prepare or eat meals while on the clock. If you want or need to eat, please use your scheduled break time to do so.

Meal Break Requirements

• You must clock out/in for meal breaks
• Meal breaks must happen before the end of your 5th hour of work
• Arrange meal break times with your manager to ensure coverage
• Remove yourself from “the floor” during the break
  • The kitchen area and office are appropriate places to take a break.

Option to Waive your Meal Break for Shifts Under 6 Hours

If you work 6 hours or less in a day and do not want to clock out for a meal break, you may choose to waive your unpaid meal break. Waiving your meal break is always optional.

• Fill out a Meal Period Waiver form and we’ll keep it on file.
• If your shift runs over 6 hours, you are required to take a meal break and record it as usual.

Paid Rest Breaks

A rest break is a paid 10-minute break during your shift to step away from work responsibilities, grab a snack, use the restroom, and/or take a moment behind the scenes to reset.

• Employees in California are entitled to a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked.
• Rest breaks should happen about halfway through each 4 hour work period.
• Let your manager know when you’re taking a rest break and remove yourself from “the floor”.
  • The kitchen area and office are appropriate places to take a break.

If you can’t take your breaks

If you don’t have a real opportunity to take a meal or rest break, notify the Owner in writing so we can fix the problem.