Attorneys Who Protect Employees
Sacramento Wage and Hour Attorneys
When corporations fail to pay employees due wages or force them to work outside of normal hours, whether intentionally or out of ignorance, they are in violation of federal and state fair labor and employment laws and may be subject to severe penalties.
Depending on the situation, punishments may include:
- Paying waiting time penalties
- Recovering liquidated damages
- Paying Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) penalties
- Compensating legal expenses
If your employer has not paid you in accordance with federal or state laws, contact the Velez Law Firm today. Our attorneys pursue individual and class action lawsuits against employers who refuse to pay their workers what they’re owed. We can help you identify whether you have grounds for litigation, gather evidence, file your case, and provide you with experienced and skilled representation in and out of the courtroom.
Discuss your case with our wage and hour lawyers in Sacramento by calling (916) 507-2223 or messaging us.
Unpaid Wages and Fair Labor Standards in California
The federal government and each state have laws that determine fair labor standards and govern wages, hours, and overtime pay. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes a baseline minimum wage and ensures overtime wages (with exceptions). States build upon this act and set their own standards that must be followed by all companies that employ residents of their state. The California Labor Code notably differs from the FLSA in establishing a higher minimum wage and guaranteeing it to workers who receive tips.
Common violations of wage and hour laws include:
- Failure to pay the agreed-upon salary
- Failure to provide meal and rest breaks
- Forced overtime
- Not compensating employees for being “on-call”
- “Waiving” the right to overtime pay
- Paying below minimum wage
- Unlawful deductions or exemptions
- Withholding any part of an employee’s wages
Understanding California’s Overtime and Rest Period Guidelines
Unpaid Overtime
In general, California businesses are required to pay workers 1.5 times their regular pay for any work past 8 hours in one day or 40 hours in a week (California Labor Code section 510a). Employees are owed double their regular pay for any overtime hours beyond 12 hours per day.
Meal and Rest Periods
California requires employers to grant 30-minute lunch breaks to anyone who works at least 5 hours. Employees must take their break before they have worked 5 full hours. If they work 10 hours or more, they must receive an additional 30-minute meal period.
In addition to meal periods, California businesses are also required to provide employees with a 10-minute rest period per every 4 hours they work.
- Age / Gender Discrimination $5.2m Verdicts And Settlements
- Medical Professional Disability Discrimination $1.8m Employment Discrimination
- Retaliation For Use Of FMLA / CFRA Leave $1.5m Verdicts And Settlements
- Sexual Harassment Verdict / Judgment $1.1m Employment Harassment
- Age Discrimination $1.1m Employment Discrimination
- African American Race Harassment $250k Verdicts And Settlements
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Unmatched Experience
With nearly 60 combined years of litigation experience, we have experience that cannot be duplicated. Our track record and client stories speak for themselves in showing the work we’ve done for our clients.
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Aggressive Representation
When it comes to protecting workers, we don’t pull punches. We’re used to taking the fight to larger opponents and are committed to empowering our clients to make choices, not concessions.
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Client-Focused
While our attorneys are top-tier, we remain focused on our clients. We work directly with our clients and focus our approach on their stories and experiences. Our attention to detail and care continues to set us apart.
Reach us by phone at (916) 507-2223 or send an email inquiry to get the conversation started.