| You don't want to be ripped off by your | | | | California has a general overtime provision. |
| employer. Under California wage and hour law, | | | | Workers who are 18 years of age or older can |
| you are entitled to overtime pay. This Guide will | | | | not be employed more than eight hours in any |
| help keep your employer's hand out of your | | | | workday unless they receive one and one-half |
| wallet. | | | | times their regular rate of pay. When they work |
| WORKING OFF THE CLOCK | | | | over 40 hours in the workweek they must |
| With these trying economic times, more and | | | | receive one and one-half times their regular rate |
| more workers are being forced to forego pay | | | | of pay. |
| which they are entitled to under California law. | | | | In California, a day's work is 8 hours. Working |
| This is happening across America. Not just here in | | | | beyond eight hours in any workday or more than |
| California. With high unemployment and so many | | | | six days in any workweek is permissible provided |
| over-qualified job seekers many workers feel | | | | the California worker is compensated for the |
| pressured to work "off the clock." That is, not | | | | overtime at not less than: |
| receive wages that they are entitled to under the | | | | 1. One and one-half times the worker's regular |
| law. | | | | rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of |
| For other workers, they feel pressured not to | | | | eight hours up to and including 12 hours in any |
| report employers stealing their wages, because | | | | workday. |
| they know that the next person will probably not | | | | 2. One and one-half times the worker's regular |
| complain. Because they have a spouse, a | | | | rate for the first eight hours worked on the |
| mortgage and hungry kids to feed. This is the | | | | seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek. |
| work place reality in California today. | | | | 3. Double the worker's regular rate of pay for all |
| NOT RECEIVING OVERTIME | | | | hours worked in excess of 12 hours in any |
| One way which employers steal employee wages | | | | workday. |
| is not paying overtime or "underpaying" overtime. | | | | 4. Double the worker's regular rate of pay for all |
| California Wage and Hour laws have Overtime | | | | hours worked in excess of eight on the seventh |
| provisions. California's wage and hour laws are | | | | consecutive day of work in a workweek. |
| much stricter than federal wage and hour laws | | | | THE BOTTOM LINE |
| and may be different than other states. Thus, this | | | | Be sure to consult with a California wage and hour |
| article about California overtime law only applies to | | | | attorney if you feel like you have not been |
| California employees. | | | | properly paid overtime pursuant to California law. |
| OVERTIME: TIME AND ONE-HALF | | | | |