MEAL BREAK CHECKLIST FOR EMPLOYERS
1. Establish and communicate clear policies regarding meals and rest periods.
2. Train supervisors to make sure employees get all meal and rest periods that the law and applicable wage orders require.
3. Require all employees to record meal and rest breaks on their time sheets or other time records. Inform employees that failure to record breaks will result in disciplinary action.
4. Pay any penalty for a missed meal and rest period in the payroll period in which it occurred to assure adequate record keeping.
5. Properly classify employers as exempt or non-exempt.
6. Keep time sheets and other time and payroll records on file for a minimum of four years.
7. Periodically audit meal and rest break practices; overtime policies and practices; and time clock, time card and payroll practices.
