Wage Theft

Wage theft—when employers fail to pay workers what they've legally earned—affects millions of California workers annually. If your employer hasn't paid you properly, you have legal rights to recover unpaid wages, penalties, and damages. Our wage theft attorneys hold employers accountable and fight for every dollar you're owed.

Common types of wage theft we handle:

Unpaid overtime: California requires time-and-a-half pay for hours over 8 per day or 40 per week, and double-time for hours over 12 per day. Employers often illegally avoid overtime by misclassifying employees, requiring off-the-clock work, or manipulating time records.

Minimum wage violations: Employers must pay at least California's minimum wage (higher than federal). Violations include paying below minimum wage, illegal deductions that reduce wages below minimum, requiring employees to pay for uniforms or equipment, and not paying for all hours worked.

Missed meal and rest breaks: California requires 30-minute meal breaks for shifts over 5 hours and 10-minute rest breaks for every 4 hours worked. Employers who prevent breaks or require employees to work through breaks owe additional compensation.

Misclassification: Employers illegally classify employees as "independent contractors" to avoid paying minimum wage, overtime, benefits, and payroll taxes. If your employer controls when, where, and how you work, you're likely an employee entitled to full wage protections.

Off-the-clock work: Employers must pay for all time worked, including time spent on tasks before/after shifts, working through breaks, attending required meetings or training, responding to work communications, and travel time between job sites.

Unpaid commissions and bonuses: When employers promise commissions or bonuses as part of compensation, failing to pay them constitutes wage theft.

Final paycheck violations: California requires immediate payment of all wages upon termination. Delays or withholding final paychecks violate law.

Illegal deductions: Employers cannot make deductions from wages except those required by law or authorized in writing for specific purposes. Illegal deductions include damages or losses caused by employee actions, cash register shortages, uniforms and tools required for work, and business expenses.

California's strong wage theft protections: California labor laws are among the nation's strongest. Employees can recover unpaid wages going back up to 4 years, waiting time penalties (up to 30 days of wages for delayed final paychecks), liquidated damages (potentially doubling your recovery in minimum wage cases), penalties for wage statement violations, interest on unpaid wages, and attorney's fees and costs.

Who is protected: All California employees—full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal, regardless of immigration status—have wage and hour rights. Undocumented workers have the same rights as any other employee.

Employer retaliation is illegal: Employers cannot fire, demote, reduce hours, or otherwise retaliate against workers who raise wage theft complaints. Retaliation claims carry additional damages.

Individual and class action cases: We handle both individual wage theft claims and class actions representing groups of workers experiencing systematic wage violations. When entire groups face the same illegal practices, class actions provide efficient resolution and greater leverage.

The claims process: We investigate your pay records, time records, job duties, and company policies. We calculate total unpaid wages and applicable penalties. Many cases settle through demand letters; others require filing lawsuits or Labor Commissioner claims. We handle all aspects while you continue working.

No upfront costs—contingency representation: We advance case costs and collect attorney's fees from settlements or judgments. You risk nothing by pursuing rightful wages.

Don't let employers profit from stealing your wages. California law provides robust remedies and attorney's fee provisions specifically to encourage workers to assert their rights.

Free, confidential consultation. We'll review your situation, estimate potential recovery, and explain your legal options.