How many breaks should I get in a six-hour workday?

In a six-hour workday employers are generally required to give at least one break to an employee. Laws concerning rest breaks for workers vary across the country, but for most states the mandatory rest break should be at least 30 minutes.

Rest breaks are a vital mechanism to make sure that employees stay alert and awake during their shift. In California, a 10-minute break is required for every four hours worked, while employers have to offer a 30-minute meal period during that time also. While federal law does not mandate rest breaks at work, employees are required to be paid so long as the rest period does not extend beyond 30 minutes.