What You Need to Know About California Overtime Laws

As an employee, knowing your rights is imperative. As the number one wage and hour lawyer in California, our team at Hershey Law is here to enlighten you on one of the most misunderstood laws – overtime. California law requires nonexempt employees to be paid, at minimum, time and a half under certain circumstances, regardless of overtime approval.

Here is a closer look.

 

Working more than 8 hours in a single workday.

Did you know that working more than eight hours in a single workday qualifies you for overtime pay in California? Many employees do not, but it is true. Any time worked over eight hours in a single workday entitles you, as a nonexempt employee, to be compensated at one and half times your regular rate of pay.

 

Working over 40 hours during a single workweek.

More commonly known is the law stating that working over 40 hours in a given workweek qualifies a nonexempt employee for overtime pay. Like the 8 hour per day rule, this law requires employers to compensate at a rate of one and a half times the regular pay rate.

 

Working more than six consecutive days in a workweek.

Less common but occurring more often than one would think is the instance of an employee working more than six consecutive days in a single workweek. Should this happen, the rate of pay will then depend upon the number of hours for work. If the employee works the 7th consecutive day for eight hours, the employer must pay them one and a half times the regular pay rate.

 

And, then, there is double-time.

Beyond the above circumstances requiring employers to compensate their employees at an increased rate of pay, there are also laws in place increasing the rate to double-time pay. These situations occur when an employer works more than 12 hours in a workday or more than 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day in a workweek.

 

 

Beyond overtime compensation, nonexempt employees are also protected by law in regards to meal and rest breaks. If you believe your employer has not provided the proper compensation, denied you of lawfully entitled rest breaks, or has your status misclassified, the experienced and professional team at Hershey Law is here to help.

 

As the number one wage and hour lawyer in Los Angeles and surrounding regions, we have the knowledge and determination required to bring you what is lawfully owed.

 

To schedule your consultation with Hershey Law, please contact our office today by calling (818) 722-9763.