California Wage and Hour Attorneys

What Is Wage Theft?

Wage theft occurs when an employer fails to pay workers the full compensation they have earned. Under California law, wage theft includes not just unpaid wages, but also violations involving unpaid overtime, meal and rest breaks, commissions, tips, and reimbursement for work-related expenses.

Wage theft can take many forms—from subtle underpayment to outright refusal to pay for hours worked. Some employers withhold paychecks, misclassify workers as exempt to avoid paying overtime, or require off-the-clock work without compensation.

California law allows employees to recover back pay, penalties, and interest on unpaid wages. A knowledgeable LFJ wage theft attorney will investigate the facts, assess the wage theft claim, and take legal action to recover the full amount owed.

California Wage and Hour Laws

California’s wage and hour laws are among the strongest in the country. They protect workers from wage theft practices, such as underpayment, late paychecks, and unfair scheduling practices. Every employer in the state is required by law to abide by employment contracts and follow all laws governing wages, breaks, and employee classification.

Hourly workers must be paid at least the state or local minimum wage—whichever is higher—and no less than what’s promised in their employment agreement. In most cases, they are also entitled to overtime pay as compensation for working more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. Paychecks must be delivered on time. Late paychecks in California can result in penalties, even for short delays.

California law also protects against wage theft in the form of off-the-clock work, requiring employers to pay for all time worked, including before and after scheduled shifts.

Meal and rest break laws, sick leave accrual, and reimbursement for business expenses are additional areas where violations frequently occur. A qualified California wage and hour attorney can determine whether an employee’s rights have been compromised and hold employers accountable under state labor codes.

Wage and hour law also covers issues, such as:

• rest breaks
• meal breaks
• failure to pay timely wages
• unpaid overtime
• incomplete or inaccurate pay stubs
• other forms of unpaid wages

Why Do I Need a Wage and Hour Attorney?

Unfortunately, wage theft rarely stops until someone forces it to. Some employers delay, deflect, or deny payment for months—knowing many workers won’t take action or think they can’t. They may think of themselves as shrewd negotiators rather than lawbreakers. A skilled wage and hour attorney forces employers to face their illegal actions and the real financial risk of continuing to violate labor law.

When an employer steals an employee’s wages, the balance of power shifts. The employer can face steep penalties, interest, and even public exposure for their criminal actions. Often, employers assume they can bully workers without suffering any consequences. A wage theft lawyer swiftly dispels that deluded thought. The lawyer also manages the case, ensuring all statutory time limits for filing unpaid wage claims are met.

Lawyers for Justice’s wage and hour attorneys hold employers accountable and fight for every dollar workers are owed in unpaid wages, damages, and penalties.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a California Wage and Hour Lawyer

Workers don’t have to face wage theft alone. A skilled California wage and hour attorney at Lawyers for Justice, PC, can take immediate action to stop ongoing violations, recover full compensation, and send the clear message that exploitation is a crime.

To get started, call (818) JUSTICE or complete the contact form. Connect with the LFJ team today to find the best wage and hour lawyer near you.