Moreno Valley Wage and Hour Lawyer
You’re entitled to a fair wage for an honest day’s work in Moreno Valley, CA. Normally, this process is smooth and keeps everyone involved happy. Sometimes, however, you notice that your paycheck isn’t matching up with what it should total or that your breaks seem to disappear.
When an employer violates your rights to breaks and a correct paycheck, you may need guidance on where to turn to. Hiring a Moreno Valley wage and hour lawyer, like Ferraro Vega San Diego Employment Lawyers, can help you receive damages for lost income or missed breaks.
Ferraro Vega San Diego Employment Lawyers: Your Moreno Valley Wage Attorneys
Nicholas J. Ferraro and Lauren N. Vega founded Ferraro Vega San Diego Employment Lawyers in 2018, intending to protect workers’ rights in Southern California. These two attorneys know that too many employees end up with unpaid wages and need help to get what is rightfully theirs. That’s where Ferraro Vega San Diego Employment Lawyers come in, and we can work with you to help recover lost wages or fight for your right to a meal break.
While other law firms are generalist practices, covering all areas of the law, Ferraro Vega San Diego Employment Lawyers focuses on employment law exclusively to provide you with excellent service and knowledge.
Infractions of California Wage and Hour Laws
California labor law is friendlier to employees than many other states. The law has several protections in place for employees to ensure that their employer can’t take advantage of them. Still, wage and hour violations happen all across the state. Here are a few of the more common ones.
Minimum Wage Violations
Many states in the union adopted the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for paying employees. Other states opt to create their own minimum wage that is higher than the federal one, and California has one of the highest of any state at $15.50. Any employer operating in California must pay at least $15.50 per hour.
Many employers will try to find a way around this minimum wage. They may misclassify a worker or try to use loopholes to avoid paying as much in minimum wage. If you’re a worker in California, your employer must pay you the state minimum wage. If you feel that your employer is violating this right to a minimum wage, you should speak with a Moreno Valley wage and hour lawyer.
Additionally, you should look out for any county minimum wage mandates that overrule the state. This can be done if the county’s minimum wage is higher than the state’s. For instance, San Diego County has a minimum wage of $16.30, 80 cents more than California’s state minimum.
Unpaid Overtime
Many employers try to use their leverage to get unpaid overtime out of employees. Your employer may ask you to stay half an hour later or to work extra time one day. If you aren’t receiving pay for this additional labor, your employer is guilty of using unpaid overtime.
Under federal law, a worker’s normal work week should be 40 hours. California law goes a few steps further to add additional protections for workers. For instance, you are eligible for double pay if you work more than 12 hours in a single day.
Some employees fall into the exempt category for overtime. This exemption means that the company is not obligated to pay time-and-a-half for overtime work. You should speak with a Moreno Valley wage and hour lawyer to discuss whether your job is in this exempt category or if there are overtime payments that you’re entitled to.
What Does My Employer Owe Me for Wage Violations?
If you have unpaid wages and hours, you should speak with an employment attorney about the compensation that you may be entitled to. You can file a claim against your company and seek repayment for the wages it owes you, with interest. You can also ask the company to pay your attorney’s fees.
Do I Need a Lawyer When Settling a Wage and Hour Violation Dispute in Moreno Valley?
While you can handle the process yourself, most attorneys in the labor field will recommend hiring a lawyer for a wage and hour violation claim. Employment lawyers know the laws better than most people, and they have the resources to fight a company that hires numerous high-profile lawyers.
Employment Lawyer FAQs
Q: What Are the Minimum Hours for Part-Time in California?
A: There are no minimum hours for part-timers in California. Anyone who works under 30 hours per week falls into the category of part-time worker. Part-time employees are not eligible for overtime in most situations. You may also work eight hours a day as a part-time employee as long as your total weekly hours do not eclipse 30 hours.
Q: What Is the 2-Hour Pay Rule in California?
A: Split shifts are a nice way for an employee to have a break in the middle of the day. However, if your company calls you in for a second shift in a day, and that shift is less than two hours, California law mandates that your company must pay you for two hours of work.
Q: Does California Pay Time and a Half After 8 Hours?
A: Yes. California law requires employers to pay overtime for any employee working more than eight hours in a single day. You are also entitled to overtime payments if you work more than 40 hours a week or seven straight days. Some industries and employees are exempt from overtime payments, so speak with a Moreno Valley employment lawyer to check your eligibility.
Q: What Happens If I Work More Than 12 Hours in a Day in California?
A: California employees working between eight and 12 hours are entitled to time-and-a-half pay for overtime. For anyone working over 12 hours in a single day, your employer must pay you double wages until the end of your shift. You may also be eligible for other overtime benefits if your work week exceeds 40 hours because of this.
Ferraro Vega San Diego Employment Lawyers: An Employment Law Firm With Experience
Wage and hour laws are complicated, and you’ll have to deal with your company’s attorneys if you try to file a claim against them for unpaid wages. To successfully file a claim, you need a Moreno Valley employment lawyer on your side.
At Ferraro Vega San Diego Employment Lawyers, we can help with any wage disputes. Contact us today for a consultation to discuss your case.