| Update Applicable to: | Effective Date |
| All Employers in California | April 21, 2025 |
What happened?
On April 21, 2025, the California Court of Appeal confirmed that employers may use written meal period waivers for employees working shifts between five and six hours.
Overview:
The California court confirms validity of meal break waivers for short shifts as long as the waivers are:
- Voluntary
- Revocable at any time
- Free from pressure or coercion
These waivers can be signed in advance and do not need to be renewed daily. However, they must be clearly written, standalone documents—not buried in handbooks—and should explain how employees can revoke them.
- This ruling does not apply to shifts longer than six hours or to second meal periods for shifts over 10 hours.
Employers should:
- Keep records of signed waivers and any revocations.
- Avoid making revocation difficult (e.g., requiring it in writing or with advance notice).
- Ensure waivers are not used to discourage employees from taking breaks.
Source References
- La Kimba Bradsbery et al. v. Vicar Operating, Inc. (2025 – Case No. B322799)
- California Meal Periods (Department of Industrial Relations)
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