La Mirada Wage and Hour Lawyer

La Mirada Wage and Hour Attorney

Employees in La Mirada and nearby areas who suspect unfair compensation should learn about their California wage and hour law rights. A La Mirada wage and hour lawyer at Briana Kim, PC, delivers focused legal support to workers dealing with labor law violations, including unpaid wages and denied overtime pay. We provide case-specific strategies so that your situation receives full attention.

Why Choose Us?

Our team at Briana Kim, PC, offers dedicated legal representation that responds to your needs. We recognize the complicated nature of employment law while remaining committed to protecting your legal rights. Our team of employment lawyers in La Mirada supports you throughout the legal process to recover what you deserve when facing issues like unpaid wages, denied overtime, and other wage and hour disputes.

Understanding Wage and Hour Violations in California

California possesses extensive labor laws that serve to defend workers against exploitation. Employers must comply with jurisdiction and industry minimum wage requirements and provide uninterrupted meal and rest breaks while paying for all hours worked, including overtime. Wage theft continues to be a major problem, even with existing protections in place.

In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Division unit organized efforts that resulted in more than $202 million in back wages for approximately 152,000 workers. This averaged $1,333 per worker.

Common Forms of Wage Theft

California law declares wage theft illegal in all forms, which negatively impacts workers’ financial stability. Common examples include:

• Unpaid overtime. Employees are entitled to overtime pay when they work over the legally permitted threshold of regular hours. This is typically time and a half for every hour worked over the limit. Some employers may attempt to misclassify employees as exempt or salaried to avoid paying them overtime wages.
• Missed meals and rest breaks. Employees who work over a certain amount of hours are entitled to uninterrupted meals and rest breaks. Denial of this is a violation of the law and employees’ rights.
• Minimum wage violations. Each state has a legally allowed minimum wage that employers must pay their employees based on their jurisdiction and industry. This amount changes as the cost of living fluctuates.
• Off-the-clock work. Employers should not and cannot require employees to complete work off the clock and not compensate them for it.
• Illegal deductions. Illegal deductions include deducting an employee’s pay for things that should come at the company’s expense, such as tools or uniforms.

Legal Protections for Workers

Workers can pursue legal remedies against their employers who violate these standards without facing penalties. The protected rights of workers cover situations where they report workplace violations by their employers or government agencies, as well as when they take part in labor law violation investigations.

Employers cannot retaliate against workers who exercise their legal rights. Workers who report issues may face wrongful disciplinary write-ups from employers as well as placement on performance improvement plans (PIPs) and reductions in working hours or wages.

Employees who resist participating in unlawful tasks such as wage theft or time record tampering may experience retaliatory actions from their employers. Employees who experience these retaliation actions can seek compensation since such behavior is illegal.

What To Do if You Suspect a Violation

When your employer fails to pay you correctly, neglects to provide necessary breaks, or breaks California wage and hour laws in another way, you must act quickly to safeguard your rights. Maintain a written log of your working hours, any missed breaks, job duties, and any pay-related discussions with your employer.

Whenever possible, make sure to keep copies of your pay stubs and work schedules. Confronting your employer about wage issues is optional, especially when you think there might be retaliatory actions.

How a Lawyer Can Help

An experienced employment lawyer can interpret your rights and review your documents to recommend the optimal next steps. Our team at Briana Kim, PC, provides attentive guidance and supports you in filing complaints with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office and the U.S. Department of Labor.

We offer pre-filing negotiations and legal representation before a jury or arbitrator when necessary. Residents of La Mirada can access local support services through the Norwalk Courthouse and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.

FAQs

What Are the Rules for Hourly Employees in California?

The rules for hourly employees in California are as follows: California hourly workers must receive minimum wage payments, which vary by jurisdiction and industry. Employees must receive overtime pay for daily work beyond eight hours and weekly work beyond 40 hours. They must also receive timely meals and rest breaks without interruptions. Employers are required to generate correct wage statements and compensate employees for every hour they work.

What Are the Wage and Hour Violations in California?

California wage and hour violations encompass unpaid minimum wages and overtime compensation, as well as denied timely meal and rest breaks and enforced off-the-clock work. All these violations break the law, and workers have the legal right to file complaints and pursue back pay and penalties along with other remedies through legal assistance.

Can I Work Six Hours Without a Lunch Break in California?

Generally speaking, you cannot work six hours without a lunch break in California unless you agree to it. California law mandates a 30-minute unpaid meal break for employees who work beyond five hours each day. The meal break is optional when the workday does not exceed six hours, and both parties consent. Employees should receive their breaks promptly without any interruptions.

What Are Wage and Hour Disputes?

Wage and hour disputes occur when an employee believes their compensation did not meet legal or fair standards. The most frequent wage and hour disputes include issues of unpaid overtime hours, missed rest breaks, improper employee exemption status, and failure to provide minimum wage payment. These cases demand a review of time records along with pay history and employment status.

Contact Briana Kim, PC, Today

At Briana Kim, PC, we understand how complex and unfair wage and hour disputes can seem. We are here to help you seek justice. Contact us today to get started.