California § 512.1 - An employee directly employed by an employer shall be entitled to one unpaid 30-m

Full text of California Public Contract Code - PCC § 512.1 — An employee directly employed by an employer shall be entitled to one unpaid 30-m, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 512.1. An employee directly employed by an employer shall be entitled to one unpaid 30-m

(a) An employee directly employed by an employer shall be entitled to one unpaid 30-minute meal period on shifts over 5 hours and a second unpaid 30-minute meal period on shifts over 10 hours, as provided by Section 512. (1) The employee may waive a meal period in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 512 and paragraph (D) of Section 11 of Wage Order Number 4 or paragraph (D) of Section 11 of Wage Order Number 5 of the Industrial Welfare Commission. (2) On-duty meal periods may be provided in accordance with paragraph (A) of Section 11 of Wage Order Number 4 or paragraph (A) of Section 11 of Wage Order Number 5 of the Industrial Welfare Commission. (b) An employee who is directly employed by an employer shall be entitled to a rest period based on the total hours worked daily at the rate of 10 minutes net rest time per 4 hours or major fraction thereof, as provided by Wage Order Number 4 and Wage Order Number 5 of the Industrial Welfare Commission. (c) If an employer fails to provide to an employee a meal period or rest period in accordance with this section, the employer shall pay the employee one additional hour of pay at the employee’s regular rate of compensation for each workday that the meal or rest period is not provided. (d) This section does not apply to an employee directly employed by an employer who is covered by a valid collective bargaining agreement that provides for meal and rest periods, and, if the employee does not receive a meal or rest period as required by the agreement, includes a monetary remedy that, at a minimum, is equivalent to one additional hour of pay at the employee’s regular rate of compensation for each workday that the meal or rest period is not provided. (e) As used in this section: (1) “Employee” means an employee who provides direct patient care or supports direct patient care in a general acute care hospital, clinic, or public health setting. (2) “Employer” means the state, political subdivisions of the state, counties, municipalities, and the Regents of the University of California. (3) “General acute care hospital” means a health facility as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code.

Source: official California text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About California § 512.1

What does Public Contract Code - PCC § 512.1 cover?

Section 512.1 ("An employee directly employed by an employer shall be entitled to one unpaid 30-m") is part of the Public Contract Code - PCC, the codified statutory law of California. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite California § 512.1?

A common citation format is "Public Contract Code - PCC § 512.1" (California). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of California law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the California official source linked on this page or consult a licensed California attorney.

How does California § 512.1 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in California can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in California.