Where should a 10-minute break be scheduled during a 4-hour shift?

• A. Break must fall near the middle of the shift
• B. Break must be taken at the beginning of shift
• C. Break must be at the end of shift
• D. Break length must be 15 minutes

Answer: (A)

In California, non-exempt workers are entitled to a 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked (or major fraction). For a four-hour shift, the break should be scheduled roughly in the middle of the shift so the rest occurs partway through the work period. This mid-shift timing distributes the break fairly and keeps the employee from going the whole shift without a rest. Putting the break at the beginning or end doesn’t provide the intended mid-shift rest, and the option stating the break must be 15 minutes is incorrect because the mandated rest break is 10 minutes.