If your employer has failed to pay you the overtime wages you have earned, you may be entitled to recover those wages and additional penalties. The experienced Laguna Hills unpaid overtime lawyer at Elite Employment Law is dedicated to protecting the rights of employees.
If you think you have an unpaid overtime claim, you need to understand your rights. Our employment law attorney has a deep understanding of employment law and have successfully represented employees with unpaid overtime claims.
Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation. We will evaluate your claim and advise you of your options.
Why Hire a Laguna Hills Unpaid Overtime Attorney?
Discovering that your employer has miscalculated your hours or failed to pay overtime can be distressing. You might be hesitant to speak up, fearing retaliation or job loss. The prospect of confronting your employer in court or the cost of legal representation might also be concerning.
Elite Employment Law was established to support California workers across all industries in their pursuit of fair wages and safe working conditions. Our experienced team will guide you through the process of filing a wage claim and, if necessary, take your case to court to recover the wages, interest, and penalties you’re owed.
When you choose our law firm, we will get to work to protect your rights. Some of the actions we take for clients include:
- Conducting a thorough investigation to identify which labor laws your employer has violated.
- Assisting you in calculating the full amount of unpaid wages you’re entitled to.
- Assessing whether other employees have been affected, potentially leading to a class action lawsuit or Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claim.
- Helping you document your unpaid wages and any other labor violations.
- Negotiating with your employer to seek full compensation.
- Representing you in a wage claim with the Labor Commissioner and pursuing a lawsuit if your employer refuses to pay.
- Protecting you from unlawful retaliation.
Contact Elite Employment Law today to schedule a complimentary consultation with our Laguna Hills unpaid wages attorney. We will help you understand your legal options for recovering your unpaid wages.
Understanding California’s Overtime Laws
California has stringent wage and hour laws governing overtime pay. According to Labor Code 510 LC, non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular rate when they work more than 8 hours in a workday or work more than 40 hours in a workweek.
Additionally, employers are required to pay double-time pay (2x the regular rate) for hours worked beyond 12 in a single workday and for hours exceeding 8 on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek.
California law prohibits employers from requiring off-the-clock work without pay, including work during rest periods, administrative tasks, or duties before or after a scheduled shift.
Calculating Overtime Pay in California
Overtime is calculated based on an employee’s regular rate of pay, which includes hourly wages, commissions, and non-discretionary bonuses. For salaried employees, the regular rate is determined by converting the annual salary to an hourly rate.
It is important to note that some employees are exempt from overtime laws, including certain independent contractors and employees classified as exempt under California wage and hour law.
However, misclassification is a common issue, and you may be entitled to unpaid wages if you have been incorrectly classified.
Potential Compensation in a California Unpaid Overtime Claim
The type and amount of compensation you may be able to recover depends on your specific circumstances. Some potential damages in an unpaid overtime claim include:
- The full amount of unpaid overtime wages
- Interest on the unpaid wages (up to 10% per year)
- Reasonable litigation costs, including attorney’s fees
In cases of intentional underpayment, you may be entitled to double damages.
Let Elite Employment Law Help You With Your Claim
Let us help if your employer has failed to pay your overtime compensation. At Elite Employment Law, we are committed to helping you recover your unpaid wages and any applicable interest and penalties.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our accomplished Laguna Hills unpaid overtime attorney. We will evaluate your case and help you understand your options to recover the wages you are owed.