California labor laws- what breaks am I entitled to if I work 7 hrs/day?

[max]

A friend insists you are entitled to take a 10 min. break after each 2 hrs. you work....? If I don't take my breaks during the day, can I legally leave work half an hour early?

[lorimar]

In California, you're entitled to a rest break if you work three and a half hours, for each period of three and a half hours, and it's supposed to be taken in the middle of that period, if possible. You're entitled to a meal break if you work five hours or more.

However, your employer can require you to stay on the premises during the rest breaks. So you'd have to work things out with your boss, it's not something you're automatically entitled to. Most bosses won't allow this, because they can get into legal trouble if the workers don't take the breaks at the appropriate times.