Wage Issues

If you are a non-exempt worker, you are entitled to additional pay rates for any hour worked beyond 40 hours in a work week. Employers often try to avoid paying overtime by asking employees to do off-the-clock work.

This includes any work performed outside of normal work hours, including prep work, responding to emails, pre-shift meetings, or performing tasks after clocking out.

California requires employers to give non-exempt workers an uninterrupted 30-minute meal break for every 5 hours they have worked and a 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked.

Employers often try to withhold commission or bonuses after you leave the company, or they change the rules retroactively. In California, earned commissions are considered "wages" and must be paid according to the original deal that was made.

Employers often illegally try to avoid paying overtime or giving certain benefits by misclassifying workers as independent contractors or exempt employees.

When you are fired or quit, your employer must pay you everything you are owed immediately (or within 72 hours if you quit without notice).