California Employment Attorneys
Is your boss a jerk? We can help.
Experienced Employment Lawyers Committed to Protecting Employee Rights
We all hope that our jobs are meaningful and rewarding, and provide the financial support we need to meet our family’s needs. While these aspirations are not guaranteed rights, California and Federal laws do create specific rights intended to protect employees from unjust and unfair treatment. You already work for a living, you shouldn’t have to work to be treated fairly.
Our jobs are often a critical facet of our lives and personality. When your employer treats you unfairly, every aspect of your life—from your relationship with your spouse to your interactions with your children—is negatively impacted. Your employer should not be treating you in a manner that causes you emotional distress, anxiety, and depression and makes you question your sense of self-worth.
Your employer is also prohibited from discriminating against you on the basis of recognized protected classes, including race, age, sex, national origin, religious affiliation, marital status, disability, pregnancy, or sexual orientation. Discrimination doesn’t always come in the form of overtly racist, sexist, or misogynistic comments. Discrimination takes many shapes and forms. Sometimes, you can just tell that you’re being treated differently than others at work.
Have you been discriminated against or harassed at work?
If you’ve faced harassment, discrimination, or other unfair treatment at the hands of your employer, Contact Us today for a free case evaluation. Our experienced California employment attorneys may be able to help bring you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Meal & Break Law Violations
Your employer is also obligated to pay you on time and provide reasonable and lawful meal and rest breaks. Often, employers will rely on their employees not being aware of the meal and rest laws and will not compensate employees for missing their meal and rest breaks. This is illegal and unfair. Employees deserve to have their time respected and are entitled to a working environment that allows them regular rest periods. If your employer has prevented you from taking meal and rest breaks, or has interrupted your breaks, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Us today to speak with an experienced California Labor Law attorney.
Frequently Asked California Labor and Employment Law Questions:
What is the minimum wage in California?
The minimum wage for California employees in 2021 is $14 per hour.
Can an employee choose to be paid less than minimum wage?
No. The minimum wage is the least amount of money an employer is legally allowed to pay. Some local areas in California have even higher minimum wages. If your employer asks you to agree to be paid less than minimum wage.
Can my employer force me to work off-the-clock?
No. California employees must be paid for all of the time they spent working. Often, some employers will require employees to arrive early to prepare for their shift, or stay after clocking out to finish their closing shift duties. This is illegal and unfair.
When am I supposed to get overtime pay?
California employees are entitled to receive 1.5x their regular rate of pay whenever they work:
Over 8 hours in a day, or
Over 40 hours in a week, or
When they work for 7 consecutive days, the entire 7th day must be paid at 1.5x the regular rate of pay.
California labor laws also entitle employees to receive double pay whenever they work more than 12 hours in one day or more than 8 hours on their 7th consecutive day of work.
When am I supposed to get a meal break?
Hourly employees must receive a 30-minute lunch break if they work more than 5 hours in a day. The meal break must be provided within the first 5 hours of the workday. An employee that works more than 10 hours in a day is entitled to take a second 30-minute meal break.
When am I supposed to get a rest break?
Am employee that works more than 3 1/2 hours in a day is entitled to a 10-minute rest break. A 10-minute break must be offered for every 4-hour period of time. This break must be taken in the middle of each 4-hour period.
What happens if I get sent home from work early?
California employees that normally work 8-hour shifts must be paid for a minimum of 4 hours of work whenever they come to work. If you are sent home early, you should still be paid for 4 hours, even if you were at work for an hour or less.
When am I supposed to get paid my paychecks?
California employees must be paid at least every two weeks.
Am I supposed to receive paystubs?
Yes. If you’re not given pay stubs, you can recover penalties up to $4,000 under the California Labor Code.
When am I supposed to get paid when I’m fired?
If you’re fired, you must be paid your last check that same day. If you quit, your employer has 72 hours to give you a final check.
Do I get paid vacation time or PTO when I leave my job?
Yes, California employers do not have to provide paid-time-off (PTO) or vacation time, but if it is offered, the unused vacation days must be cashed out when the employee leaves.
Does my employer have to reimburse me?
Yes, California expense reimbursement law requires employers to reimburse employees for all expenses that were “necessary” for performing job duties.