California

In California, non-exempt employees must be paid on a wage and hourly basis because their job duties do not fall within an overtime exemption. It is not uncommon for some workers to get misclassified as exempt when they should be non-exempt. These workers may be able to sue their employer for unpaid wages, as well as interest, …

WARN Act — Protection from Mass Layoffs in CaliforniaWatch this video on YouTube The California WARN Act (short for Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) is a regulation that requires covered employers to provide workers and local government officials with at least 60 days’ notice before one of the following three triggering events: WARN Act …

California Tip Laws — Can my employer take my gratuities?Watch this video on YouTube California law lets you keep any tips that you earn. Your employer may not offset your tips against your regular wages, and they must pay all credit card processing fees on tips. Tip pooling is lawful in California as long as …

Under California labor laws, you are entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses or losses directly related to your job. If your employer tries to shortchange you or fails to reimburse you for work-related travel expenses, you may be able to recover compensation by filing a claim or lawsuit. Below, our California labor and employment attorneys …

Regular rate of pay in California — 3 things workers need to knowWatch this video on YouTube In California, your regular rate of pay is generally your total earnings divided by the total number of hours worked in a workweek. It is used to calculate overtime pay for non-exempt workers, which is one-and-a-half times the regular …

Top 5 grounds for a "wage and hour" lawsuitWatch this video on YouTube If your employer has violated California wage and hour laws, you may find that your best option is to initiate a lawsuit. Bringing a claim against a current or former employer can be stressful and confusing. Our California employment lawyers are here …

California Penal Code 647 PC: Disorderly ConductWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 647 PC makes disorderly conduct a misdemeanor carrying up to six months in jail and/or $1,000. Disorderly conduct comprises such behaviors as lewd conduct in public, prostitution, panhandling, public intoxication, squatting, loitering, invasion of privacy, and revenge porn. Examples of …

If you have been arrested for theft, burglary, or trespassing in an area affected by a recent emergency, you are no longer facing standard charges. As of January 1, 2026, California has enacted a tougher version of Penal Code § 463. Prosecutors are under pressure to crack down on “looting,” and the new definition is …

Penal Code 538d PC makes it a misdemeanor offense to impersonate (pretend to be) a police officer. This often includes wearing a police uniform or displaying a fake badge. A conviction is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2000. PC 538d states that “Any person other than one who …

Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated – Penal Code 191.5(a) PCWatch this video on YouTube In California, the crime of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated is causing a fatal accident by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and with gross negligence. A conviction is a felony punishable by four, six, or 10 years in prison …

Overtime Exemptions — Exempt vs. Non-Exempt EmployeesWatch this video on YouTube Under California law, exempt employees generally have a white-collar job, get paid a salary rather than an hourly wage, and are not entitled to wage and hour laws protections such as overtime pay or meal breaks and rest breaks. In California for 2026, exempt …

As of January 1, 2026, the current minimum wage in California is $16.90 per hour. It is illegal for California employers to pay workers less than the minimum wage. If your employer violates minimum wage laws, you can bring a labor board complaint or a wage and hour lawsuit. If the violation affects numerous employees, …

3 times your employer MUST pay you overtimeWatch this video on YouTube California overtime (OT) laws require non-exempt employees to earn one-and-a-half times their regular rate of pay when they work extra hours. In some cases, employees receive double-time pay for working overtime. This chart illustrates when you are entitled to overtime and double-time pay: …

How to File a Lawsuit for Unpaid WagesWatch this video on YouTube In California, workers can bring an unpaid wage claim to recover earnings that an employer owes them but has failed to pay. Unpaid wage claims can be brought through: the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, a federal agency, or a court via a …

Sick leave in California — Are employers required to give it?Watch this video on YouTube California sick leave laws generally require employers to provide employees with annual paid sick leave (PSL) of at least 40 hours or five days (whichever is more). Employers may satisfy this requirement either by: letting you accrue at least one …