Meal and Rest Breaks

If you’ve been denied your legally required meal and rest breaks, The Law Offices of David J. Gallo is here to protect your rights.

Our Meal and Rest Breaks Services

At The Law Offices of David J. Gallo, we offer comprehensive legal services to assist employees who have been denied their lawful meal and rest breaks. California law provides specific protections for workers, and our team is here to help you enforce those rights. Here’s a look at our primary services related to meal and rest break violations:

 

Meal Break Violations

California law mandates a 30-minute, uninterrupted meal break for most employees who work more than 5 hours. If your employer has denied this break or required you to work during it, we can help you pursue compensation for each missed meal break.

Rest Break Violations

Employees in California are entitled to a 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours of work. Our attorneys can assist in cases where employers have neglected to provide these essential rest breaks or failed to compensate employees for missed breaks.

Premium Pay Recovery

When employers fail to provide required meal and rest breaks, they owe the employee an additional hour of pay as a “premium” penalty. Our team is skilled at calculating these penalties and pursuing them on your behalf to ensure you’re fully compensated.

Claims for On-Duty Meal Periods

Some employers require workers to remain “on duty” during breaks, which is illegal in most cases. We can assess whether your on-duty meal periods qualify for additional compensation and help you take action accordingly.

California Meal and Rest Break Laws Explained

California has some of the nation’s strongest labor laws protecting employees’ rights to meal and rest breaks. Non-exempt employees are entitled to a 30-minute meal break for shifts over 5 hours, as well as a 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked. If an employer fails to provide these breaks, they are required to pay an additional hour of wages as a penalty.

 

If you believe your employer has violated these laws, you’re not alone. The Law Offices of David J. Gallo is here to help you understand your rights and take legal action if necessary to recover the compensation you’re owed.

 

Notable Cases

David J. Gallo has secured significant victories in employment law and complex

business litigation, including multi-million-dollar settlements for wage-and

hour violations, class actions, and employee misclassification cases.

$4.1 Million

Settlement in Wage-and-Hour Class Action

Achieved a multi-million-dollar settlement for workers at a large hair-stylist chain.

$2.5 Million

FLSA Settlement for LA County Workers

Secured major collective action win for Los Angeles County employees.

$500,000

Settlement for Misclassified
Store Managers

Recovered substantial compensation for employees wrongly classified as exempt to avoid paying overtime.

Get the Compensation You
Deserve Today

Unpaid wages can leave you feeling frustrated and undervalued. At The Law Offices of David J. Gallo, we believe that every employee deserves fair compensation for their hard work. 

If you’re dealing with unpaid overtime in Southern California, reach out today for a consultation, and let us help you get the justice you deserve.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

If your employer consistently denies you meal or rest breaks, it’s essential to keep a record of your work hours and any missed breaks. Documenting these details strengthens your case, and our team can help you determine if your situation qualifies for legal action.

 

Under California law, employers must pay an extra hour of wages for each missed meal or rest break. You may be entitled to this premium pay, plus additional penalties if the violations were ongoing. We’ll work to ensure you receive all compensation owed.

 

In California, the statute of limitations for filing a claim for missed meal or rest breaks is generally three years from the date of the violation. However, the timeline may vary depending on your specific situation, so it’s best to consult with us promptly to ensure timely filing.

 

The Law Offices
of David J. Gallo

With a focus on employment law and complex business litigation, the Law Offices of David J. Gallo provides personalized and aggressive representation.

For over 20 years, David J. Gallo has represented clients in disputes involving unpaid wages, overtime violations, employee misclassification, and other employment matters.