Have you been receiving your fair share of wages as an employee in California? Attorney Douglas Han of the Justice Law Corporation explains, “To ensure that workers are paid in a timely manner while they are working for a company and after they leave there are specific laws to govern when an employee ought to be paid.” There are several laws the state has implemented to ensure every employee receives the wages they are owed, including in unique circumstances such as overtime, termination, or ending a work contract. It is important for employees to know these rules to ensure that their employers are paying them fair wages and not taking advantage of them.
In regards to overtime, the law requires employers to pay nonexempt employees one and a half times their regular rate of pay if they work for more than 8 hours in any workday or more than 40 hours in any workweek. Furthermore, if an employee works more than 12 hours or more than 8 hours for 7 consecutive days in any workday, they are entitled to receive double their regular rate of pay. Douglas Han from Justice Law Corporation adds, “Overtime wages must be paid no later than the payday for the next regular payroll period following the payroll period in which the overtime wages were earned.”
Under normal circumstances, the state of California requires wages to be paid twice every month on designated days. When it comes to termination and the end of employment, the rules for wages are fairly clear. The Justice Law Corporation’s Douglas Han says, “At the end of employment, workers are entitled to their full and final wages which include accrued vacation. If an employee is terminated, final wages have to be paid at the date of termination.” If the employee ends their employment not by termination but by giving at least a 72-hour notice of recognition, their employer is required to provide their final paycheck on their final day of employment.
While it may seem daunting to peruse all of the laws regarding wages in California, they are important to know because they exist for the protection of workers all over the state. At the end of the day, they are workers’ shield against unfair and unethical workplace practices, so they play an important part in the infrastructure of all the industries that operate in California. If you feel like you have not been fairly compensated by your employer, be sure to find a good workplace compensation law firm that can advocate for you as you seek the wages you deserve.