The California Court of Appeal ruled on April 21, 2025, that employees in California can voluntarily waive their meal breaks in advance for shifts between five and six hours, as long as the waivers are reasonable and not coerced.
In Bradsbery v. Vicar Operating, Inc., former employees claimed their employer violated state meal break laws, but the court upheld the validity of written waivers that could be revoked at any time.
This decision affirms that prospective meal period waivers are legally permissible under certain conditions, though employers should seek legal guidance on their use.
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