| All over the United States, as well as in the State | | | | hour period the employee works. So if you work |
| of California, Americans began developing labor | | | | 10 hours in one day you are entitled to two thirty |
| laws during the industrial age to set standards of | | | | minute breaks. Lastly, these meal breaks must be |
| what was acceptable in the work place. During | | | | uninterrupted. If you were not given your breaks |
| this time in our country, child labor and 16 hour | | | | properly your employer is required to compensate |
| days without breaks were commonplace. As time | | | | you for your time. Contacting California |
| progressed, workers began to stand up for their | | | | employment lawyers is a necessary step to claim |
| rights in their workplace, fostering the progress | | | | the money that is owed to you. |
| that has been made through the judiciary system | | | | California employees often consult California labor |
| and improving working conditions. Today, the end | | | | law attorneys to file complaints against their |
| result can be seen in the form of highly specific | | | | employers for violating California labor laws with |
| California labor laws which are designed to protect | | | | respect to their 10 minute breaks as well. |
| the employee and hold the employer accountable. | | | | California employee break laws state that, for |
| This does not necessarily mean that violations and | | | | every 4 hours of work the employee is entitled |
| infractions no longer occur, but today’s | | | | to a10 minute break. By law the employer is not |
| workplace environment is a “far cry” | | | | required to record these breaks and is also not |
| from what employees suffered through during | | | | required to pay the employee for these breaks. |
| the industrial age. California labor law attorneys are | | | | However, some employers choose to pay their |
| always at the ready to assist workers being | | | | employees. The two most common courses of |
| abused by non complying employers. | | | | action the employee can take if they feel their |
| The California employee break laws are specific | | | | employment right have been violated is to |
| about what is expected of the employer, yet | | | | contact either the California Labor Board or |
| every year hundreds of workers contact | | | | California employment lawyers. |
| California employment lawyers to file a complaint | | | | In the state of California, the burden of proof is |
| against their employers. Oftentimes the employer | | | | on the Employer. This means that anytime the |
| will send the employee home a half an hour early | | | | employer is brought to court on allegations of |
| to “make up” for the missed meal break. | | | | violating California labor laws it is the |
| Or some employers will have the employee take | | | | employer’s responsibility to prove that they |
| their break during the first half hour of work. | | | | are not guilty of such accusations. If the employer |
| These are common violations of California | | | | is unable to do so, it is assumed that the |
| employee break laws and anyone who has been | | | | allegations are of merit and the court will then |
| a victim should speak to California labor law | | | | determine to what extent the worker should be |
| attorneys to get the right representation and | | | | compensated. Also, it’s important to note |
| discuss a potential claim. | | | | that as an employee, you have up to 4 years to |
| California employee break laws clearly outline what | | | | have California labor law attorneys file a complaint |
| is expected of the employer as far as how often | | | | with the court. Keep in mind that the California |
| and when breaks should be administered to | | | | Labor board will usually only go back 3 years. |
| employees. For instance, the 30 minute break, | | | | Regardless of how the employee decides to air |
| often referred to as the meal break, is to be | | | | their grievances and seek resolution, the |
| given within in the first 5 hours of work if the | | | | important thing is to stand up to employers who |
| employee is scheduled to work longer than 6 | | | | are taking advantage of their employees by |
| hours. Furthermore, it is to be given for every 5 | | | | violating California labor laws. |