Meal and rest breaks · Quebec
Quebec meal and rest break rules.
How long a break Quebec employees must get and how soon in a shift. Enter your shift length to see how many breaks are required.
Quebec: after 5 consecutive hours of work an unpaid 30-minute meal break must be granted.
Your situation
Breaks required on your shift
Enter your shift length and press Calculate.
Quebec: meal and rest breaks rules in detail
| Point | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Break | 30 minutes after 5 consecutive hours of work |
| Paid? | Unpaid, but paid if the worker must stay at their workstation |
| Weekly rest | At least 32 consecutive hours each week |
Notes on this rule
The employer must also provide an appropriate and hygienic place for meal breaks.
How to use this page
Enter the hours you work in one shift, not counting unpaid breaks. The calculator applies the rule above to give the number of breaks required and the total minutes. It does not model collective agreements, exemptions or emergencies.
Sources, read directly 19 October 2026: CNESST - Time worked, breaks and weekly rest period.
Frequently asked questions
How many breaks does a Quebec employee get in a shift?
Quebec: after 5 consecutive hours of work an unpaid 30-minute meal break must be granted.
Is the break paid?
Unpaid, but paid if the worker must stay at their workstation
Do coffee or short rest breaks have to be given?
The source read for this page states the meal or rest break rule shown above and does not add a separate entitlement to short coffee breaks.
When can an employer skip the break?
The employer must also provide an appropriate and hygienic place for meal breaks.
Can an employer or a contract give more than this?
Yes. These are statutory minimums. An employment contract, workplace policy or collective agreement can give more, but not less. Union members should check their collective agreement as well.
Where does this Quebec information come from?
Every figure on this page was read on 19 October 2026 from: CNESST - Time worked, breaks and weekly rest period. The links are listed under the rules table above. If a source changes, this page is regenerated from one data file and the verified date is updated.
Reference only — not legal advice
This page states the statutory meal and rest break entitlement from the published employment-standards legislation or the government’s own guide, read on 19 October 2026. It is not legal advice, does not model a collective agreement or an individual contract, and rules change. For a binding answer, contact the employment standards office named in the source or a lawyer.