Wage theft in LA's hardest-working industries

When does California require overtime?

Non-exempt employees earn 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 8 in a workday or 40 in a workweek, and for the first 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek. Double time applies after 12 hours in a day and after 8 hours on that seventh day (Labor Code 510).

What are my meal and rest break rights?

Generally, a 30-minute unpaid, duty-free meal break before the end of the fifth hour of work, a second one for shifts over 10 hours, and a paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked or major fraction of four. If a break is missed, the employer owes one extra hour of pay at your regular rate for each workday a meal break is missed and one for each workday a rest break is missed (Labor Code 512 and 226.7).

What is the minimum wage?

California's statewide minimum wage for 2026 is $16.90 an hour, and many cities, including Los Angeles, set a higher local minimum. Some industries, such as fast food and health care, have their own higher minimums.

How can I recover unpaid wages?

You can file a wage claim with the California Labor Commissioner's Office or file a lawsuit. Claims under the Labor Code generally have a three-year limit (Code of Civil Procedure 338), and some claims can reach back four years under the Unfair Competition Law (Business and Professions Code 17208).

My employer says I'm an independent contractor. Am I?

California uses the "ABC test" for most jobs: a worker is an employee unless the hiring business shows the worker is free from its control, does work outside the usual course of its business, and is customarily engaged in an independent business of that kind (Labor Code 2775). Many workers labeled contractors are legally employees.

Can my employer punish me for complaining about pay?

No. Retaliating against an employee for complaining about unpaid wages or filing a wage claim is illegal (Labor Code 98.6).

Am I owed wages if I am undocumented?

Yes. California law protects all workers' right to be paid for work performed, regardless of immigration status (Labor Code 1171.5). Our case-review form never asks about immigration status.

What is PAGA?

The Private Attorneys General Act lets an employee recover civil penalties for certain Labor Code violations on behalf of the state and other employees. It starts with a written notice to the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (Labor Code 2699.3). The law was reformed in 2024.

General information about California law, not legal advice.