Let Starpoint Law Advocate for Workplace Justice as Your Wage and Hour Attorney in San Fernando Valley!

There are few worse feelings than being taken advantage of in the workplace. It can be demoralizing and you may feel helpless, whether your employer is failing to compensate you for overtime, denying your legally mandated breaks, or misclassifying you to avoid paying benefits.

You work hard, and it can feel as if your contributions are taken for granted when your boss does any of these things. While you might seem as if it’s something out of your control, you have rights under California labor law - and you may be entitled to compensation. 

A skilled wage and hour lawyer in San Fernando Valley can help assess your situation and fight back if you’ve been underpaid, forced to work off the clock, or denied sick leave. Here at Starpoint Law we’ve secured favorable outcomes for countless employees across the valley. 

With a free consultation just a click or call away, what’s holding you back? Trust our wage and hour attorney in San Fernando Valley to guide you through the process from A to Z.

What Are the Wage and Hour Laws in San Fernando Valley, California?

As a California employee, you’re fortunate to have some of the strongest legal protections in the nation, safeguarding you against wage theft, unfair pay, and employer abuse. Understanding wage and hour law is the first step to figuring out if your rights have been encroached upon.

Minimum Wage Laws

California is known for a high minimum wage of $16 per hour, but certain cities in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley have higher minimum wage rates based on local ordinances. Employers must comply with the highest applicable rate, whatever that may be.

Overtime Pay Requirements

Non-exempt employees are entitled to either 1.5x or 2x their normal rate when working beyond certain thresholds, including:

  • More than 8 hours in a single workday or 40 hours in a workweek (paid at 1.5x the regular hourly rate).
  • More than 12 hours in a single workday or more than 8 hours on the seventh consecutive workday (paid at 2x the regular rate).

We see employers try to encourage off-the-clock work or even go as far as misclassifying employees (which we’ll elaborate on below) to avoid these overtime stipulations - a wage and hour attorney in San Fernando Valley can help address these violations.

Meal and Rest Breaks

California Labor Code Section 512 specifies the different breaks you’re required to take as an employee in the San Fernando Valley. These are:

  • A 30-minute unpaid meal break if they work more than 5 hours.
  • A second 30-minute meal break if they work more than 10 hours.
  • A 10-minute paid rest break for every 4 hours worked.

You could earn another hour of pay (per violation) anytime you’re not given your break on time. Just connect with our wage and hour attorney in San Fernando Valley if your boss is not cooperating. 

Employee Misclassification

Exempt employees are not subject to the same protections, and employers will use this classification system to try and avoid paying overtime, benefits, and certain taxes.

California’s AB-5 law protects workers from being wrongly classified as independent contractors. If your employer controls your work schedule, provides company equipment, or supervises your duties, you may be misclassified and entitled to back wages, benefits, and damages.

Late or Unpaid Wages

Wages must be paid on time and in full under California Labor Code Sections 201-204. If your boss doesn’t pay you on schedule or in full, you could pursue legal action.

Retaliation Protections

Part of why we see so many of these violations go uncontested is fear of retaliation for reaching out to a wage and hour lawyer in San Fernando Valley. But California law has provisions for retaliation against reporting violations, so you have nothing to worry about.

That being said if you’ve already been demoted, fired, or harassed after asserting your rights, you have a strong place for workplace retaliation. Our skilled wage and hour attorney in San Fernando Valley is eager to talk about this with you.

What Regulatory Bodies Oversee Wage and Hour Law Violations in San Fernando Valley?

There are a number of California and federal agencies you should familiarize yourself with if you’re interested in pursuing a wage and hour law violation in San Fernando Valley workplaces:

  • California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR): Enforces state wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, and workplace protections.
  • Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE): Investigates wage theft claims and enforces California labor laws.
  • California Civil Rights Department (CRD): Formerly known as DFEH. This agency handles retaliation, workplace discrimination, and harassment claims.
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Enforces federal labor protections, including the Civil Rights Act and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
  • National Labor Relations Board (NLRB): Protects workers’ rights to unionize and challenge unfair labor practices.

The specific agency you’ll file your claim with depends on the exact violation that occurred. Each agency has its own statute of limitations for filing claims, too. 

All of that’s to say it’s worth enlisting the help of a wage and hour lawyer in San Fernando Valley as they can help you cut through the confusion and connect with the right agency. Speaking of next steps…

Next Steps if You Suspect You’re a Victim of Wage and Law Law Violations

You don’t have to put up with workplace injustice and continue to let your boss take advantage of you. Use your knowledge of your rights to pursue justice. Here are some things you can do to get the ball rolling and set yourself up for success:

  • Document Everything: Keep pay stubs, timecards, emails, and text messages that show discrepancies in your wages or hours worked. Evidence is everything for a compelling case against your employer.
  • Talk to Your Employer: Some wage violations are unintentional and can be resolved internally with a conversation. There’s not always malintent - it could be a simple misunderstanding. But if your employer refuses to cooperate, seek legal help.
  • Consult a Wage and Hour Attorney in San Fernando Valley: Labor laws are complex, but a lawyer can evaluate your case, calculate damages, and file a legal claim on your behalf. You won’t have to lift a finger.
  • File a Wage Claim: You may be able to file a claim with California’s Labor Commissioner or the DLSE to recover your wages. Again, though, this is something you should let your legal counsel handle since it can be convoluted.
  • Take Legal Action: Your attorney can file a lawsuit to seek back pay, penalties, and additional compensation. This may be resolved through a settlement to save everyone the hassle of court proceedings. If not, be prepared to go to battle in the legal justice system.

The key takeaway is that fast action is essential as there are strict deadlines for filing wage claims in California. The best thing you can do is contact a trusted wage and hour lawyer in San Fernando Valley, like Starpoint Law.

Potential Compensation a Wage and Hour Lawyer in San Fernando Valley Can Help You Secure

You might be wondering, is it even worth it? What could you earn in terms of compensation with the right legal guidance on your side? The specific amount is on a case-by-case basis and we cannot offer much in the way of an estimate without knowing your circumstances.

However, there are a number of different types of compensation you could be entitled to - including:

  • Unpaid Wages: Recover missing wages, including overtime pay and potential compensation for every denied break.
  • Waiting Time Penalties: If your final paycheck was delayed, you may be owed up to 30 days of wages.
  • Interest & Liquidated Damages: Employers may have to pay double the wages owed in some cases.
  • Attorney’s Fees: Your employer may be required to pay legal costs if you win your case.

Want to get a better sense of what you can expect? The only way to do that is by opening a dialogue with a wage and hour attorney in San Fernando Valley who has taken on cases like yours. Your search ends here at Starpoint Law.

Why Starpoint Law is the Premier Wage and Hour Lawyer in San Fernando Valley

We’re your ally in workplace justice, committed to protecting the entire San Fernando Valley workforce from wage theft, misclassification, and employer abuse. We bring a deep understanding of California’s labor laws and a passion for ethics to every single case.

Our clients have earned cumulative millions in compensation as we have a proven track record of success. We hold employers accountable and fight for every dollar you’re owed.

Starpoint Law isn’t just the premier wage and hour lawyer in San Fernando Valley, either. We’ve earned a reputation for consistently exceeding expectations across the entire region, including:

As your advocate in workplace justice, you can count on us anytime you need an employment lawyer in San Fernando Valley, be it for wage and hour support, a disability discrimination lawyer in San Fernando Valley, or a pregnancy discrimination lawyer in San Fernando Valley.

If your employer is violating wage and hour laws, you have rights and we want to protect them. Contact Starpoint Law today for a free consultation and take the first step toward getting the fair wages you deserve.