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  • Writer's pictureMarcarian Law Firm

Wage and Labor Laws in California – What Workers Need to Know

Updated: Dec 19, 2023


overtime pay law Los Angeles

Labor and Employment Attorney

California has some of the most progressive labor laws in the United States. For example, it has a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum wage and provides generous Overtime Pay Law Los Angeles protections.


Labor laws are a set of rules that protect workers from mistreatment by their employers. These laws include the following:


Minimum Wage

The minimum wage in California is $11.00 per hour, with a special exemption for tipped employees who must be paid at least $8.00 per hour. If you work as a farm worker or agricultural employee, however, your base rate will be $12.00 per hour.


Overtime Pay

Overtime is defined as any time worked over forty hours in a workweek. It’s also known as “time-and-a-half” pay. The law states that employees must be paid for all hours worked more than 40 hours per week, not just the first four hours after they start working.


What Counts as Overtime?

The following types of activities are considered “work”, so these will count toward your overtime obligations:

  • Working more than 8 hours per day or 60 hours per week

  • Working more than 10 consecutive days without breaks

Meals and Breaks

If you work more than five hours in a single day, your employer is required to give you at least a 30-minute break. In addition, if the shift lasts more than five hours, employers must provide additional breaks if necessary.

Employers do not have to pay for these meals or breaks; however, they can choose whether or not they want their employees to have them.


In California law, employers are required to pay employees for working time when traveling between customers’ locations during non-work days and during off-hours such as weekends and holidays—even if there was no actual business done by the employee during those periods of time!


Vacation and Sick Time

Vacation and sick time are generally calculated by dividing the number of hours an employee works per month by 40. If this number is less than 24, employers must provide at least one day off for every 7 days worked. They must also provide additional paid time off for holidays, birthdays, or other special occasions.


In addition, California law says that employees are entitled to 10 days of vacation after working 1 year with the same employer; however, there are no specific rules about how long it takes for this benefit to accrue over time.


Employees who work in hospitals or healthcare facilities may be covered by more generous requirements because they may be subject to different standards than those set forth above. Such employees must receive 30 days’ vacation annually plus an additional 10 days’ leave each year after five years at their job site – which means that most new hires should expect at least 30 days’ worth of paid rest each year!



Final Paychecks, Penalties, and Notice Requirements for Mass Layoffs or Closures

When you are fired, laid off, or closed down by your employer, you are entitled to a final paycheck within 72 hours. The law also requires employers to give all workers who are discharged from their jobs written notice of their rights and responsibilities under California wage and hour laws.


If you quit your job before being fired or laid off, then the employer can’t withhold your last paycheck unless he or she has a good reason for doing so.


Employee rights attorneys help workers who have been mistreated by their employers.

The most common types of employee rights violations include:

  • Discrimination in wages and benefits

  • Harassment and bullying from coworkers, supervisors, or managers

Attorneys for Wrongful Termination can help you recover lost wages and other compensation related to your work situation.

If you feel that you were wrongfully terminated from your job, then this may also be a good time to seek legal representation for compensation for emotional distress as well as physical harm caused by the loss of employment.


Employment Law Firm Los Angeles

If you think your job rights were violated by your employer and want legal support, contact an experienced Employee Rights Attorney today.

Marcarian Law Firm

818-995-8787

21650 W Oxnard Street, Suite 1980

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