Meal Break Obligations You cannot employ someone for a work period of more than five hours without providing an unpaid, off-duty meal period of at least 30 minutes. The first meal period must be provided no later than the end of the employee’s fifth hour of work. The employer satisfies its legal obligation to provide an off duty meal period to its employees if it: Relieves its employees of all duty. Relinquishes control over their activities. Permits them a reasonable opportunity to take an uninterrupted, 30-minute break. Does not impede or discourage them from doing so. A meal break can […]