- Tel: (866) WORK-LAW
- Email us: info@kyletodd.com
- Address: 171 North Altadena Drive, Suite 270, Pasadena, CA 91107
All too often, employers shortchange their workers by refusing to pay them what they’re legally due. In some cases, workers may not even know that they’ve been taken advantage of. Other times, workers may feel silenced because they fear retaliation–especially for those who are undocumented. The first step in asserting your rights is to know your rights.
California law contains dozens of protections for workers in the way they are paid and the breaks they are given at work. For example, while federal law provides for overtime for all hours over 40 per week, California adds an 8-hour daily rule, so that any time worked over 8 hours in a day must be paid at time and half. Beyond that, all work over 12 hours in a day or any work on the 7th consecutive day must be paid at double-time. California law also requires that employers give a meal break for all shifts that go over 5 hours, and two meal breaks for shifts over 10 hours. California law also requires a ten-minute rest break for shifts of 4 hours, or even a major fraction of 4 hours. California’s laws contain many more protections than these, and Kyle Todd, PC fights to protect employees’ workplace rights regarding how they are paid and the rest they should receive during their workday.
As of January 1, 2013, workers in California have a right to be paid at least eight dollars ($8.00) per hour. Cal. Labor Code § 1182.12. With limited exceptions, no one may give up this right, or agree to work for less than the minimum wage. See Cal Lab Code §§ 219, 1194. For example, unlike some other states, there is no minimum wage exception for restaurant waitstaff. Waitstaff in California must be paid at least an hourly wage of $8.00 an hour, regardless of the tips they may receive.
However, there are some exceptions to the minimum wage. These include:
If you question whether a current or former employer paid you the wages you’re due, you have a right to inspect and make copies of that employer’s records of your payment and hours. Cal Lab Code § 226. If an employer fails to respond to your request within 21 days, the employer may face a $750 penalty. Cal Lab Code § 226.
If you work more than a certain number of hours in a day or week, you are entitled to a higher rate of pay for those additional hours. In general, if you work more than 8 hours in one day or more than 40 hours in one week, you have a right to be paid at a rate 1.5 times your regular wage for those additional hours. Cal Lab Code § 510.
In certain qualifying workplaces – where two-thirds of the employees have agreed to it by secret ballot – the workweek is 10 hours a day, but still 40 hours a week. In these situations, you are entitled to 1.5 times your regular rate for hours worked beyond 10 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Cal Lab Code §511. Those in a union may be exempt from overtime based on the terms of their collective bargaining agreement
You have a right to be paid twice your regular rate for hours worked in excess of 12 hours in one day or in excess of 8 hours on the seventh day of a workweek. Cal Lab Code §§
You are entitled to 10 minutes of rest for every 4 hours you work. Your employer must pay you for this rest time. 8 CCR 11010. You have a right to a 30 minute meal break for every 5 hours you work in one day. Cal Lab Code § 512. While your employer is not required to pay you during meal breaks, you are essentially “off work” during your meal breaks. Your employer cannot require you to perform job functions during your meal break, and if you are called back to work during your meal break, the time spent working does not count towards your break. 29 CFR 785.19.
If you believe your rights may have been violated regarding wages and breaks, please call our office for a free consultation at (323) 208-9171.
Here’s a sample of results we have gotten clients in wage and class action suits.
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