I work in the customer service field for a non goverment possition. I start at 6:00am and my scheduled lunch is at 9:00am. Is there any limit to when the lunch hour can start. Can they make me take a lunch this early in the day. What if they change it to 8:00am.

Thanks Matt

Yes it is legal. See below which is from the state website

1. Q. What are the basic requirements for rest periods under California law?


A. California employees covered by the rest period provisions of the Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders must be provided with a net 10-minute paid rest period for every four hours worked or major fraction thereof. Insofar as is practicable, the rest period should be in the middle of the work period. If an employer fails to provide an employee a rest period, the employer shall pay the employee one hour of pay at the employee’s regular rate of pay for each workday that the rest period is not provided.


2. Q. Must the rest periods always be in the middle of each four-hour work period?


A. Rest breaks must be given as close to the middle of the four-hour work period as is practicable. If the nature or circumstances of the work prevent the employer from giving the break at the preferred time, the employee must still receive the required break, but may take it at another point in the work period.

Yes what they are diong is fine. However they would need to provide a second meal period if you are on the clock more than five hour after returning from the first meal period.

See Ca Labor Code section 512