07/22/2008 GAAS:569:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Meals and Rest Breaks for Employees
Following
the Fourth District Court of Appeal's decision in Brinker Restaurant
Corporation v. Superior Court of San Diego, Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger issued the following statement:
"We
are pleased that the California Court of Appeal issued today a decision
squarely addressing many of the central issues in dispute concerning
meal and rest periods. The confusing and conflicting interpretations of the meal and rest period requirements have harmed both employees and employers. Today's
decision promotes the public interest by providing employers,
employees, the courts and the labor commissioner the clarity and
precedent needed to apply meal and rest period requirements
consistently."
In
today's decision, the court held that employers must make meal periods
available to employees and cannot impede, discourage or dissuade
employees from taking meal periods. However,
once made available, the employer is not obligated to police the
employee's use of that time by ensuring that the employee takes the
meal period.
