Meal & Rest Breaks for Video Shoots
This page covers meal and rest break guidelines for video shoots. There are different guidelines for still photography shoots. Please review the following information carefully. Failure to follow these guidelines violates state wage and hour laws and will result in financial penalties. If you have any questions, please reach out to your OOTB Account Manager.
Film & Video: Meal Breaks
California law requires that all non-exempt, hourly employees take meal breaks as follows:
PLEASE NOTE:
If an employee is working more than 6 hours, their first meal break must begin BEFORE they have completed 6 full hours of work.
If an employee requires a second meal break, that break must begin NO LATER than 6 hours after the end of the preceding meal period.
A meal penalty is equivalent to 1 hour of work and is paid to the employee when meal breaks are not taken in accordance with the law, as described below. These penalties are paid as wages to the employee and charged to the client.
During a meal break, an employee must be completely released from their duties and free to leave the set during that 30-minute time period if they choose to do so. If an employee is provided with a meal break at the beginning of their shift, these rules must still be followed.
Film & Video: Rest Breaks
California law requires that all non-exempt, hourly employees take rest breaks as follows:
PLEASE NOTE:
If an employee is entitled to two rest breaks, one should be taken before the meal break and one should be taken after the meal break.
Rest breaks should not be combined with each other or with the employee’s meal break.
Rest breaks must be provided for every 4 hours worked (or major fraction thereof) and cannot be combined with meal breaks. Employees cannot waive rest breaks, even if they prefer to do so.
Rest breaks cannot be waived. If rest breaks are not permitted, the employee may be eligible for a break penalty that is equivalent to 1 hour of work for each rest break not given. These penalties are paid as wages to the employee and charged to the client.
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. OOTB Solutions makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information, and it should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal guidance. Employment laws and regulations may vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. If you have specific questions about meal and rest break compliance or other labor law matters, we encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney or reach out to your OOTB Account Manager for further assistance.
