Newport Beach Wage and Hour Lawyer

Newport Beach Wage and Hour Attorney

If you think you are being shorted by your employer when it comes to compensation for your time, you are not helpless. A Newport Beach wage and hour lawyer can work to ensure Orange County employees who have been shorted on pay, denied overtime, or otherwise deprived of statutorily mandated rest are treated fairly. We know California’s wage and hour laws are complicated, which is why we work aggressively to help you recoup what you have earned.

About Canlas Law Group, APLC

At Canlas Law Group, APLC, we are committed to protecting the rights of all workers. Our simple mission is to step up and meet our clients’ needs when they need us most. We offer proactive, client-centered representation throughout Southern California, including Orange County and Newport Beach.

Our attorneys routinely appear on behalf of clients in the Orange County Superior Court – Newport Beach Courthouse and the Santa Ana Labor Commissioner’s Office. If you have been denied unpaid wages, overtime, or meal breaks, our experienced and compassionate team will fight tirelessly to obtain the justice you deserve.

Understanding California Wage and Hour Laws

California wage and hour laws are some of the most employee-friendly in the country. However, workers across the state continue to lose money due to their employer’s willful violations or ignorance of these laws. Some of the most common wage and hour law violations include: 

• Unpaid overtime
• Denied meal and rest breaks
• Failure to reimburse business expenses
• Misclassification of employees as independent contractors

California law, as well as federal law, requires employers to pay workers for all hours worked, including overtime and off-the-clock time, provide paid sick leave, reimburse workers for necessary business expenses, and pay all employees the correct minimum wage. If your employer has violated any of these laws, you may have a valid claim under California’s wage and hour statutes.

Common Wage and Hour Violations

A Rutgers study of California metro-areas, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco, found that workers there lost between $2.3 billion and $4.6 billion per year to minimum wage violations, with the estimated loss in Los Angeles County by itself at about $1.6–2.5 billion per year. These violations can come from a number of situations, including:

• Unpaid overtime. If you work more than eight hours in a workday or more than forty hours in a week, California law mandates that you be paid 1.5 times your regular rate. If you work more than twelve hours in a day, you must get double pay.
• Missed rest periods and meals. A 30-minute unpaid meal break is required for workers who put in more than five hours in a shift. For every four hours of work, you are also entitled to a paid 10-minute rest break.
• Not paying back business expenses. According to California law, employers must reimburse workers for essential business expenses like mileage, personal cell phone use, or work-related equipment.
• Minimum wage violations and unpaid wages. The state minimum wage, which is higher than the federal rate, is the minimum wage that every worker is entitled to.

Employer violations of wage and hour laws can take a serious financial and emotional toll on employees. Unpaid overtime, missed breaks, and unreimbursed expenses can add up to thousands of dollars. Violations can also harm your health and quality of life, especially when you’re forced to work long hours without adequate rest.

California Paid Sick Leave

California’s paid sick leave law requires employers to provide at least one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers must also keep track of accrued leave and permit employees to use it without penalty.

State and federal law also prohibit your employer from retaliating against you for filing a wage claim, reporting a violation, or participating in an investigation. If you have experienced retaliation, contact a Newport Beach wage and hour attorney immediately.

Hire a Wage and Hour Lawyer

You should hire a wage and hour lawyer if you think your employer is breaking labor laws. Your attorney can find violations you may not know about, determine your unpaid wages, and seek penalties on your behalf. Canlas Law Group, APLC, empowers employees to obtain the money they’ve earned and forces employers to stop illegal pay practices.

FAQs About Newport Beach, CA Wage and Hour Law

Do You Get an Hour Break If You Work 8 Hours in California?

No, California law requires a 30-minute unpaid meal break for employees who work more than five hours per day. Employees who work more than ten hours per day are entitled to a second 30-minute meal break. California workers are also entitled to paid 10-minute rest breaks for every four hours worked, typically to be taken in the middle of each four-hour work period.

What Are the Rules for Hourly Employees in California?

Hourly workers in California must be paid at least the minimum wage. California also requires employers to pay overtime wages of 1.5 times the normal rate for work in excess of eight hours per day or 40 hours per week, and double-time wages after twelve hours. Hourly workers are entitled to meal and rest breaks, to accurate wage statements, and protection from unpaid wage practices.

How Many Hours Straight Can You Legally Work in California?

There is no California law stating the number of hours an adult can work each day. However, California has laws regarding overtime pay of one and a half times the hourly wage after eight hours of work and double time after twelve hours of work.

California law also requires that an employee be provided with meal and rest breaks. Forcing an employee to work beyond the physical limit or without meal/rest breaks can be a violation of state labor laws.

What Are Four of the Rights You Have as a Worker?

California workers have the right to be paid on time and at the proper rate. They have the right to a safe workplace free of harassment. Workers are also entitled to meal and rest periods. Retaliation is illegal against employees who file wage claims or report a labor law violation.

Contact Canlas Law Group, APLC

If you have not been paid your proper wages, you can fight for what you are due. Canlas Law Group, APLC, can help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.