California Tips Law: Rights and Protections for Service Workers [2025]
California law prohibits employers from sharing and distributing tips with supervisors and managers. Employers that violate California tips law often face employee lawsuits exceeding $100,000 in damages.
Is Job Abandonment Considered a Resignation in California?
Job abandonment in California is viewed as voluntary resignation when employees fail to notify their employer after extended absences. Employers should implement clear policies, address legitimate exceptions, and follow labor laws to manage job abandonment appropriately
California Lunch Break Law [2025]
This article answers common questions, such as "How many hours do you have to work to get a lunch break?" and "Can I work 6 hours without a lunch break in California?" Under California law, employees must be provided with no less than a thirty-minute lunch break when the work period is more than five hours. In California, an employer may not employ an employee for a work period of more than five hours per day without providing the employee with a lunch break.
Average Cost to Defend An Employment Lawsuit [2025]
It costs employers an average of $75,000 to defend a lawsuit and settle the claim. If the case does not settle, defending the employment lawsuit before trial costs upwards of $125,000.
Overtime: Understanding California’s laws and employee rights
California's overtime laws require non-exempt employees to receive extra pay for working over 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. Employees must be compensated at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours beyond these limits and double pay for excessive hours on the 7th consecutive workday.
What Happens If an Employee Works Unauthorized Overtime?
An employer is required to pay an employee who works overtime regardless of whether the employer knows about it or not.
Why would someone ask for their personnel file?
Employees who believe they have been fired as a result of unlawful discrimination, retaliation, or harassment will often request their personnel file. Those files may contain information that helps you prove discrimination, harassment, or other civil rights violations.
Can You Refuse to Work If You Haven’t Been Paid?
Legally, you may have the right to refuse work if your employer hasn't paid you because it is constructive termination and wage theft by the employer. If your employer hasn't paid you, should should review your contract before not working.
What Happens If I Don’t Get Paid on Payday?
If you don't get paid on payday, contact an employment attorney immediately and ask for help getting the wages owed to you. Alternatively, if the regular payday for the last pay period an employee worked has passed and the employee has not been paid, contact the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division or the state labor department.
What to Do If Employer Doesn’t Pay You?
If the regular payday for the last pay period an employee worked has passed and the employee has not been paid, contact the a wage and hour employment attorney.