Wage Statement Violations In California

Wage Statement Violations In California

When it comes to employee protection laws in the United States, it is difficult to find a state more strongly protected than California, particularly where hour and wage issues are concerned. In addition to other regulations, employees in California are entitled to rest and meal breaks, overtime pay, and access to a minimum wage higher than federal law mandates. With so many protections, however, comes a myriad of ways employers can violate them. Let’s take a quick look at some of the various wage violations that employers can commit.

The Minimum Wage

The state of California is generous and varied when it comes to its minimum wage. The exact amount to which you are entitled depends upon where exactly you are located, but the most important bit of information to keep in mind is that your employer is required to pay you at least that amount. Note that you are entitled to the state (or city, depending upon where you work) minimum wage, not the federal minimum wage, which is actually lower than California’s state law. Additionally, some employers will pay the state minimum wage rather than the city minimum wage because it is less. These are both wage violations.

Other common wage violations include paying employees as “salary”, where that salary ultimately averages less than the state or city minimum wage. Requiring employees to work on their meal breaks or “off the clock” are also common wage violations that many employees face.

Have your rights been violated?

If you believe that your rights have been violated, make sure that you reach out to an experienced attorney who can help determine whether or not you have a viable case. And keep in mind that the above list is not exhaustive! Other wage violations exist, including those related to:

• Tipped Employees
• Overtime
• Rest and Meal Breas
• Misclassifying Employees

For more information about wage violations in California and how we can help, reach out to us today!