Court of Appeal: Meal and Rest Breaks Need Not Be Forced

Everyone is waiting for the California Supreme Court to issue its decision in Brinker or Brinkley or both regarding whether meal / rest periods must be ensured or merely provided under California law. Well, nearly everyone.

The Court of Appeal in Hernandez v. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., just decided that meal and rest periods must be allowed, but that employees who choose not to take them cannot recover penalties. The court upheld dismissal of a class action given that each individual class member would have to prove he or she was prevented from taking given meal or rest periods.

The opinion in Hernandez v. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is here.