Wage and Hour
More and more, workers in Los Angeles and other cities in California are finding themselves being taken advantage of by their employer. This may involve asking the employee to constantly come in early or stay late without compensation, and can also include forcing the employee to accomplish more work in a certain time period, which may result in shortening or eliminating the breaks that the employees are entitled to. Other times, employees are asked to do work-related duties while being off the clock or not even at work. If you feel your right to fair wages has been violated, it is important to speak with a wage and hour lawyer.
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When it comes to wage, hour, and employment law, the following are usually the most common issues:
- Failure to meet the requirement for minimum wage
- Unpaid wages
- Unpaid overtime wages
- Not allowing employee breaks
Since January 1st, 2007, the minimum wage in California is $7.50 per hour. On January 1st, 2008, this wage will increase to $8.00 per hour. This includes all cities in California, including Los Angeles. After 8 hours in one day or 40 hours in one week have been exceeded for an hourly employee, overtime is due, unless another workweek of no more than 4 days of 10 hours was established before July 1st, 1999. Additionally, 7th day premium pay is not required for an employee who doesn’t exceed 30 weekly work hours and whose hours do not exceed 6 in any one work day when totaled. If you feel your employer has violated any wage and hour laws, it is vital to contact an attorney familiar with CA employment laws.
The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the California Labor Code also states that an employee is entitled to a 10 minute break for every four hours of work. Also, employees are entitled to a meal break within the first five hours of work and a second meal break for any shifts that exceed ten hours. When employers fail to meet these regulations, they have violated employment law.
Click here for more information on California laws relating to unpaid wages or meal and rest violations.