Those of us who depend on a paycheck each week to provide for ourselves and our families likely work very hard for that money. In many cases, that paycheck and the benefits we earn are the only reasons we get up early each day, clock in, and work our shifts.
When we put in long hours and schedule our lives around a job or career, the last thing we want to hear is that our payday will be delayed or our benefits are on hold. Employers ask a lot of their employees, and in return, employees should be able to rely on being paid fair wages and benefits.
In fact, in California, employees who aren’t provided their agreed-upon pay at the agreed-upon time are protected by powerful labor laws. With the help of a California Wage and Hour Dispute Lawyer, employees can file claims over their employer’s violation and even sue their employers to recover their wages and in some cases, even more.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a California Wage and Hour Disputes Lawyer
If you have been denied paychecks or benefits for your hard work, Maison Law stands ready to help you seek justice. With our extensive knowledge of California and federal labor laws, we assist workers in filing claims against employers to secure wages that are rightfully theirs.
Contact us for a free consultation that comes with no obligation to you. We want to hear what you’ve been put through and then talk over all of your legal options. This free case review is completely confidential. Your employers will not know about this consultation.
California Wage and Hour Violations and Labor Claims
Wage theft is when employers do not pay you wages or benefits you are owed. This may include neglecting to provide mealtime breaks and rest periods mandated by state law. The wage violation could involve missing retirement contributions promised to you.
California’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) lists several potential violations of state labor laws involving wage and hour statutes. These laws protect all California non-exempt workers. They also provide safeguards for documented and undocumented immigrant workers. The DIR provides the means for all workers to report labor law claims and wage theft claims.
Your Maison Law California employment lawyer will know these laws well and work to earn you the maximum compensation available as fast as possible. Most of us can’t pay our bills after we’ve missed out on even one paycheck. But any damages you suffer while waiting to receive wages should be the employer’s worry and not yours
Maison Law helps clients with cases involving these common wage violations and more:
- Delaying pay or not paying employees.
- Failure to provide minimum wage.
- Failure to pay overtime to non-exempt employees.
- Failure to reimburse business expenses.
- Failure to provide breaks and meal periods.
- Failure to provide accurate and itemized wage statements.
- Failure to provide Workers’ Compensation Insurance.
- Asking employees to work off the clock.
- Falsely classifying workers as independent contractors or exempt workers in order to avoid providing benefits.
- Failure to provide a last paycheck in the required amount of time after a worker quits or is fired.
As of 2022, the minimum wage in California is $14 an hour for workers at companies with 25 or fewer employees. Companies employing over 25 employees must pay their workers $15 an hour. If your employer is asking you to accept less than this legal standard, contact a skilled California Wage and Hour Dispute Lawyer as soon as possible.
Do I Need a California Employment Wage Theft Lawyer for my Case?
In many cases, it’s critical to have a California Labor Law Lawyer guiding you through the claims process during a wage dispute. You want to make sure you are treated fairly and your claim gets the full attention of the State of California.
A lawyer is also important when you don’t receive a fair settlement through the claims process. Your lawyer will have a strong case prepared for you in the event it becomes necessary to sue your employer and seek justice in court. A qualified and reputable California employment lawyer will tell you if your case has the potential to earn much more with the help of a legal representative.
Always take advantage of a free consultation with an employment lawyer before signing off on a settlement that may not be in your best interest.
What Can I Earn Through a California Wage and Hour Violation Claim?
Companies can owe you damages or back pay for the exact dollar amounts they didn’t pay you. You could be reimbursed for every hour you worked and didn’t get paid. You could receive money for overtime you weren’t compensated for and for the breaks you didn’t receive.
In California minimum wage cases, employers could also owe you liquidated damages. These damages are penalties that would provide additional compensation to claimants.
In California, employees who win their case and receive compensation can also request that an employer pay their attorney fees and legal costs.
You should speak with a California employment attorney to find out how to best handle your case, so you recover the most in compensation possible. Your attorney assists you in filing a strong wage violation claim with California’s Labor Commissioner. Your attorney would also stand ready to file a lawsuit against your company if things aren’t resolved to your satisfaction.
Can I Lose My Job or Face Retaliation If I File a Claim?
It is illegal for employers to engage in the wrongful termination of employees because they report wage theft, discrimination, or harassment violations. Companies are also prohibited from retaliating against employees by demoting them, harassing them, reassigning them, and through other unfair treatment.
The DIR provides a full account of every California employee retaliation law on its website. This list of statutes protecting employees is extensive. It doesn’t mean that employers won’t try to engage in retaliatory action, but when they do, employees can file lawsuits and recover substantial awards for what they endure.
If you experience retaliation, tell your California wage claims attorney immediately or schedule a free legal consultation if you don’t already have a lawyer. A California labor law attorney provides important safeguards in case your employer retaliates against you for reporting a violation or filing a lawsuit. Your lawyer would be ready to file a lawsuit on your behalf if you received harsh treatment or were terminated.
How Long Can I Wait to File a California Wage Theft Claim?
Three years. California grants wage theft victims up to three years to file a wage loss claim. The countdown begins on the date of non-payment.
This may seem like a long time but acting quickly is in your best interest. You’ll benefit from getting your claim filed faster and hopefully receiving the money you need to support your family faster.
It’s also a good idea to give your California Wage and Hour Disputes Lawyer your case as soon as possible while the evidence is still fresh, and witnesses are easier to track down.
Contact a California Wage Loss Lawyer
Maison Law of California offers a free consultation to any workers who feel they’ve been robbed of the wages or benefits they were promised. This consultation is completely confidential, and your employer would not know about it.
It’s a no-risk way to find out if you have a strong case against your company. It’s also a good chance to learn what you should demand from an employer in compensation for what they’ve put you through.
Our California labor attorneys have extensive knowledge of state and federal employment laws and we use that knowledge to the benefit of our clients. Don’t endure an unfair and unprofessional work environment for another minute.
