California Meal and Rest Breaks: What You Don't Know Can Cost You

California's meal and rest period rules for hourly employees are among the most complex areas of HR compliance, and mistakes can be costly. This 60-minute California meal and rest breaks webinar explains what the law requires and how to apply it.

You'll review the sections of the California Labor Code and Wage Order that set meal break requirements, and the effect of the California Supreme Court's decision in Brinker Restaurant Corporation v. Superior Court. The session also covers waivers, on-duty meal periods, rest periods and on-call rest periods.

You'll then look at common employer violations, the penalties and remedies for noncompliance, examples of settlements and best practices you can use to guide your organization's policies.

• Explain the basic meal and rest period requirements under California law
• Describe how the Brinker decision affects meal and rest periods
• Apply the rules on waivers, on-duty meal periods, rest periods and on-call rest periods
• Recognize common employer violations and how to avoid them
• Understand the penalties and remedies for noncompliance
• Use best practices to keep your policies compliant

• Basic California requirements for meal and rest periods
• The effect of the California Supreme Court decision in Brinker Restaurant Corporation v. Superior Court
• Labor Code and Wage Order sections that set meal break requirements
• Waivers and on-duty meal periods
• Rest periods and on-call rest periods
• Common employer violations and how to avoid them
• Penalties and remedies for noncompliance
• Examples of settlements
• Best practices for complying with the law

Compliance with meal and rest break rules protects your company and supports your employees. This session skips the legal jargon and focuses on practical guidance you can use when drafting a new policy or reviewing an existing one, plus procedures that work in day-to-day operations.

It suits executives, managers and supervisors of hourly employees in California, HR professionals with California responsibilities, and leaders in finance, operations, quality, sales, marketing, engineering and sanitation.

• Leaders (Executive, Vice-President, Director, Manager) and Supervisors of hourly-paid Employees based in California
• Human Resources Leaders and Professionals (all levels) with California Responsibilities
• Functional leaders: Finance, Accounting, Operations, Human Resources, Quality, Sales (Inside Sales), Marketing, Engineering, Sanitation

Melveen Stevenson is the CEO and founder of M.S. Elemental, LLC, a human resources and business advisory firm. As a certified HR professional with a background in accounting and finance, she helps companies to navigate the human resources “jungle” of compliance, human capital, and leadership challenges. In doing so, she empowers companies to strengthen their infrastructure from the inside out, specifically through leadership development, operations, training, employee engagement, and executive coaching.

Melveen speaks on key topics to empower companies with the latest research and best practices for increasing engagement, enhancing leadership presence, and optimizing diverse workforce groups.

Over the last 20 years, Melveen has held leadership positions in human resources operations, supply chain, and talent management at international companies in food manufacturing, medical devices, and consumer products. She has spent most of her career in California, and has expertise in the state’s complicated employment regulations.

Melveen is certified through the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP) and the Human Resources Certification Institute (SPHR).  She is also a faculty member at California State University-Dominguez Hills.