Signed Blanket Meal Break Waivers OK Under Certain Conditions

A Blog by HR Watchdog – California Chamber of Commerce

Can our new hires sign one-time blanket meal break waivers, or does the employee need to sign a written waiver each time they waive a meal break?

In a significant win for employers, the California Court of Appeal recently ruled that blanket meal waivers signed by nonexempt employees are permissible for shifts between five and six hours, if certain conditions are met.

Meal Breaks and Meal Waivers

Under California Labor Code Section 512, an employer is required to provide a 30-minute, off duty meal period for employees who work more than five hours and a second 30-minute meal period for shifts of 10 hours or more.

However, the law allows the employer and employee to mutually agree to waive the meal break so long as the employee works no more than six hours. An employee also may waive a second meal break under certain conditions.

California employers commonly ask new hires to sign blanket or “prospective” meal break waivers during the onboarding process. Before a recent Court of Appeal decision, it was unclear whether this practice of obtaining one-time waivers was permissible or whether a waiver had to be obtained from an employee each time they waived a meal break.

Read the full article here: https://hrwatchdog.calchamber.com/2025/11/signed-blanket-meal-break-waivers-ok-under-certain-conditions/?gclid=CjwKCAiAl-_JBhBjEiwAn3rN7TYZrsIv7XGYQLW4Go1FwU3MCB8gbjCBBuUCSFnK04LVkWaskCAc9hoCszgQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAA-TG6lhQ54GbGQ1pWvW_SnICKmB44