Category: Failure to Pay Wages

If you’re an employee in today’s hyper-connected world, you know that the boundaries between your work and personal life can easily fade.

Hourly workers get paid based on how long their shifts are. They clock in and out at the beginning and end of every shift, often by using a digital time clock station or specialized software on a point-of-sale system which keeps records of the exact time the employee clocks in and out.

Most employees in California do have a right to take specific breaks. For instance, for every four hours that someone works, they should get a rest break for 10 minutes. If they have to work more than five hours, then they should also be given a meal break.

Many wage claims in California relate not to violations of minimum wage laws but rather overtime pay statutes. California has more assertive employee protections than many other states. The minimum wage per hour is higher, and there are more scenarios in which employees should receive overtime wages.

Remote work is gaining traction as more companies embrace flexible arrangements to accommodate diverse employee needs and tap into a global talent pool. In California, remote workers are subject to the same labor laws as traditional in-office employees.

California has one of the highest minimum wages in the country. It was raised to $16.50 at the beginning of this year. A number of cities within the state, including San Diego, have even higher minimum wages, largely due to their cost of living.

Both full-time and part-time workers are fundamental to most companies in California. Part-time workers carry out key duties in the same way that full-time workers do.

While many people have a five-day workweek, there are a significant number of employees who just work a few times every week. For example, a college student may have a part-time job that fits around their class schedule. They just work two days a week and take classes on the other days.

California employers often rely on their contracts with workers to protect them from misconduct and negative publicity. The inclusion of non-disclosure agreements or non-disparagement clauses in employment contracts or severance agreements is somewhat common.

Employers should observe the state minimum wage. In California, this is $16.00 per hour for all employees as of January 1, 2024. Some cities in the state have higher minimum wages.