Wage theft remains a widespread issue in California. It’s easy to overlook a missed meal or rest break, or a few minutes of off-the-clock work at your employer’s request. But over time, those small violations add up to significant lost wages—money you’ve rightfully earned. The good news is that California law provides some of the strongest worker protections in the country, giving employees powerful tools to recover unpaid wages.

Common Violations

1. Unpaid Overtime
Non-exempt employees must receive:

• 1.5× pay for hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week
• 2× pay for hours over 12 in a day

2. Minimum Wage Violations

3. Meal and Rest Break Violations
Employees are generally entitled to:

• A 30-minute meal break for shifts over 5 hours
• Paid 10-minute rest breaks every 4 hours

4. Off-the-Clock Work
Employers must pay for all hours worked, even if not pre-approved.

6. Unreimbursed Business Expenses
California law requires reimbursement for necessary work expenses (e.g., mileage, cell phone use)

5. Employee Misclassification
Employers sometimes label workers as “exempt” or independent contractors to avoid paying overtime and benefits.

What You Can Do

If you suspect a violation:

• Document your hours and pay (keep pay stubs and records)
• Do not rely on employer assurances that issues will be fixed
• Contact Us