Waiving second break in CA

[Michi66]

Hi all, I'm on assignment in SoCal and my contract states something like "california law mandates two 30 minute breaks, you agree to waive the second break." Which was not a big deal for me. Used to it!

It's a couple weeks into my assignment now and my floor has a break nurse who breaks us for 30 mins in the morning, and then 45 mins in the afternoon. It's never come up that they shouldn't break me, just part of everyone's routine.

My question is, should I tell my recruiter about this second break? Or tell my manager that I shouldn't get it? Has anyone come across this issue? Will my recruiter never find out? Or should I say something so I don't have to pay a million dollars back if they do find out?

Thanks in advance!!

[NedRN]

You are also entitled to have a 10 minute paid break every 4 hours in addition to your unpaid meal break. Many hospitals do 15 minutes - hospital/unit culture/practice. Possibly union contract. I don't understand how they can be combined legally under California labor law, but as you have found out, that is what some hospitals do. Nothing to do with a meal break.