Riverside Wage and Hour Lawyer

Wage and Hour Attorney in Riverside, CA

You deserve to be fairly compensated and fairly scheduled. When an employer violates California’s wage and hour laws, it can leave employees overworked and underpaid. A Riverside wage and hour lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve while holding employers accountable for their illegal practices.

Clark Employment Law, APC: Trusted Law Firm

At Clark Employment Law, APC, we are passionate about securing fair workplaces for every Riverside employee. Whether you are not being compensated for overtime or haven’t received a paycheck on time, we can help you resolve your issue. Sometimes, simply talking to your employer or filing an internal complaint doesn’t fix an issue, which is when we can use our knowledge of wage and hour laws and the claims process to help.

Types of Wage and Hour Issues in California Workplaces

In California, 89% of employees work for wages or salaries, making them reliant on prompt and accurate payments. In addition to their wages, they also deserve fair scheduling and breaks. Some common wage and hour violations include:

• Meal and rest break violations: Employers must provide a 30-minute meal break per five hours worked, as well as a 10-minute break per four hours worked. If an employer is not providing these breaks, you should speak to a lawyer about filing a claim.
• Work done while off the clock: This type of case involves an employer requiring an employee to work before they have clocked in, during unpaid breaks, or after clocking out.
• Minimum wage violations: The minimum wage in California is $16.90 for most employees and $20.00 for fast food workers. An employer must pay at least this amount, even if you are a tipped employee.
• Overtime pay violations: Overtime violations occur when an employer does not pay the required overtime rate of 5 times the regular rate for any work over eight hours per day, over 40 hours per week, or on the 7th consecutive day of work.
• Failing to pay wages on time: Employers must be sure to pay wages promptly and pay waiting time penalties for late payments. Most employees must be paid at least twice within each calendar month and receive their pay within seven days of the end of the pay period.
• Failure to reimburse: Employers must reimburse employees for all business expenses. This includes business-related travel or gas.

Why You Should Hire a Wage and Hour Lawyer

A wage and hour case can be difficult to prove and emotionally challenging. A Riverside wage and hour attorney can make this process easier by explaining the wage and hour laws that apply to your case, managing the legal requirements of a claim, and advocating for you in settlement negotiations or a trial.

To build a strong wage and hour case, you must have sufficient evidence to prove your employer’s illegal practices. A lawyer can gather evidence from your workplace and analyze financial records to establish your lawyer’s fault. Valuable evidence can include:

• Pay stubs
• Payroll records
• Tax documents
• Personal scheduling and pay documentation
• Scheduling logs, such as from a scheduling app or badge swipe records
• Employee contracts
• Employee handbooks or company policies
• Communications between you and your employer
• Witness testimonies

Compensation in a Wage and Hour Case

Recovering compensation can help you recover from the financial losses wage and hour law violations create, as well as make up for the emotional distress you may have experienced. Compensation varies based on the types of damages you have suffered, which is why a lawyer can make sure your claim has a comprehensive list of your losses. Compensation often covers backpay, overtime compensation, legal fees, and emotional distress.

FAQs

What Is the Seven-Minute Rule When Clocking In?

The seven-minute rule when clocking in means time from 1-7 minutes can be rounded down to the nearest quarter-hour when calculating time worked and wages. Employees are permitted to round their time to the nearest 15-minute increment under the Fair Labor Standards Act. So, 1-7 minutes rounds down, while 8-14 minutes are rounded up. Though rounding can sometimes lead to time lost, if an employer is always rounding down your time, you should speak to a lawyer.

What Is the 72-Hour Rule in California?

The 72-hour rule describes an employer’s obligation to provide final wages after an employee quits. If an employee quits without prior notice, an employer must pay their wages or mail their wages within 72 hours. If the employee provides at least 72 hours’ notice, the final wages must be paid at the time of quitting. If an employer fails to pay on time, they must also pay the employee’s daily wage per day late for a maximum of 30 days.

Are Breaks Paid in California?

Whether breaks are paid depends on the length of the break and individual company policies. According to California’s wage and hour laws, the 30-minute meal breaks for over 5 hours of work do not have to be paid, while the 10-minute rest breaks for over 4 hours of work are paid. Companies may choose to pay employees for their lunch break, but they are unable to require employees to go unpaid for their 10-minute rest break.

What Are the Rules for Hourly Employees in California?

There are many rules for hourly employees in California. Some of the most significant wage and hour rules include adhering to the $16.90 per hour minimum wage, paying time and a half for overtime, providing one 30-minute meal break per 5 hours, and being paid immediately if fired or quitting with at least 72 hours’ notice. When an employer fails to follow these laws, a wage and hour lawyer in Riverside, California can help you file a claim.

Reach Out to a Riverside Wage and Hour Attorney

Building a wage and hour case is complex, requiring an ability to deeply analyze company documents and financial records, an understanding of California’s wage and hour laws, and a dedication to holding employers accountable. At Clark Employment Law, APC, we can build a strong claim that aggressively negotiates for a fair recovery of your damages. Contact us to hire a wage and hour lawyer who can help you recover the compensation you deserve.