Skilled Lawyers Representing California Workers In Wage And Hour Class Action Claims

At Cohelan Khoury & Singer, our lawyers represent clients who have been subjected to illegal and unfair employment practices. If you and your fellow employees have been denied meal and rest breaks, have been asked to work off the clock, or have been denied minimum wage or overtime, then you may have grounds to pursue compensation and justice in a wage and hour class action lawsuit.

Other common violations of wage and hour laws include:

• Underpayment of wages due to an employer’s policy of paying employees for rounded time entries rather than actual time clock entries
• Failure to fully reimburse for necessary business expenses incurred in the performance of job duties
• Failure to compensate employees for time spent donning and doffing protective gear before clocking in before their shifts begin, walking to and from their workstations and after clocking out at the end of the shift
• Failure to pay prevailing wages for work performed on public works projects
• Failure to timely pay all wages owed at termination (three days for voluntary separation, same day for involuntary termination)
• Failure to pay all accrued vacation wages at termination
• Failure to pay a separate minimum wage for nonproductive time when paying under a piece-rate system

Our team of attorneys has more than 200 years of combined legal experience as well as a strong track record of success both in and out of the courtroom. Our lawyers have an in-depth understanding of California’s wage and hour laws, and can inform you about all your legal options.

Workplace Protections All Hourly Workers Should Know About

Below, we discuss some important legal protections you have as an hourly worker in California and when those protections apply.

Mass Changes To Work Schedules

When employers want to implement an alternative to the standard workweek schedule (such as working four 10-hour days or three 12-hour days), they must be prepared to pay overtime. The only way to avoid paying overtime is for the majority of employees to agree to the switch in a secret ballot.

Changes To Shift Lengths And Callback Work

It is very frustrating to show up to work only to be told that you’ll be working a short shift or that you’re “not needed” that day. Thankfully, workers have some protections for these types of situations. If you’ve reported to work for the day and the shift was shortened, you are legally guaranteed pay for at least half of your shift (at least two hours but not more than four hours).

Sometimes, employees find themselves in “callback” situations, where they are summoned to show up to work when they would not otherwise be there for a normal shift. This could be for a mandatory employee meeting or an emergency of some sort. If you ever find yourself in a callback work situation, California law requires your employer to pay you for at least two hours of work, even if you are not there for that amount of time.

Strict Protections For Tipped Employees

California is among a minority of states without a “tipped minimum wage.” Workers in California must be paid the state minimum wage without considering tips. Additionally, employers and salaried managers are not allowed to retain any portion of a worker’s tips for themselves.

Class Action Claims Are Often Appropriate In These Cases

Our wage and hour lawyers know from experience that when a company treats one employee unfairly, they usually treat multiple employees unfairly. Wage and hour class action attorneys file employment class action lawsuits and overtime class action lawsuits on behalf of employees who have been cheated out of overtime wages, regular wages and tips by their employers. The attorneys at Cohelan Khoury & Singer have a strong focus on California employment law matters as well as nationwide claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Learn More During A Free And Confidential Consultation

Wage and hour claims and other employment class action lawsuits are among the only means of recourse available to many unfairly treated employees. If you’re one of them, our lawyers are ready to come to your aid. To discuss your rights and options during a free consultation, call our San Diego office at 888-652-2201 or send us a message online. We serve clients throughout California.