Unpaid Wages

‍What Constitutes Unpaid Wages?

Both federal and state laws are designed to protect employee rights to earn a fair wage for hours worked. However, even with these laws in place, employers often fail to properly pay their workers. And whether it is accidental or malicious does not matter. If you were not reimbursed for work expenses, not properly compensated for holiday hours, never received the commission you were owed, or even not provided with a final paycheck that reimburses unused vacation days, then you may be a victim of unpaid wages.

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It is not uncommon for employees to be denied the wages they are legally entitled to. It can be due to several reasons, such as an employer's failure or refusal to pay overtime, misclassification of workers as "independent contractors," or failure to provide proper meals and rest breaks. Even if you were paid your regular hourly rate, you may have still been cheated out of wages if your employer did not include incentive pay, bonuses, commission payments, and reimbursements for any job-related expenses incurred.

No matter what the reason is that you’ve been deprived of your rightful wages, you must act immediately. Unpaid wage laws are in place to protect employees from unfair treatment and to ensure that wages are fairly compensated for hours worked. If you feel that you have been a victim of unpaid wages, then you must contact an experienced attorney who can advise you on the best course of action to take to receive the compensation you deserve. Don't let yourself be taken advantage of any longer, act today!

If your employer has violated unpaid wage laws, they may be liable to pay damages, back pay, and other applicable monetary relief. It is essential that your case is handled with utmost care and attention as this could potentially affect future employment opportunities. By seeking legal help from a qualified lawyer, you can make sure your rights are protected and justice will be served in your case. Don’t hesitate to contact an experienced attorney today and get the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Remember, you have the right to receive fair wages for your labor and no one should be taken advantage of in the workplace. Don't let yourself become a victim of unpaid wages—act now!

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Unpaid Overtime

According to federal law, employers are required to pay overtime to qualifying employees at a rate of one- and one-half times your normal hourly pay. Overtime pay is required when a nonexempt employee works over forty hours in a workweek. In addition to time and a half, California offers double-time pay.

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Double-time pay is required after a nonexempt employee works over 12 hours a day or 8 hours on the seventh day of work in a week. If your employer has neglected to pay you the overtime you rightly deserve, then you are entitled to the difference.

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There are many exemptions to overtime pay in California, which means that certain employees may not qualify for overtime due to their classification. To save money, employers often misclassify employees in order to avoid paying overtime. Misclassification occurs when a worker is misclassified as an independent contractor or if an employee is given a “promotion” to a position in management without new job responsibilities.

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Under AB5, the number of workers who qualify as independent contractors have decreased immensely. If your employer has not updated your employment status to reflect new laws, you may be able to bring a misclassification lawsuit.

Contact Ghozland Law Firm to learn the legal remedies you can take today.

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Minimum Wage Violation

Minimum wage violations are an issue that affects employees across the country, not just in California. A 2018 report from the Economic Policy Institute found that nearly 17 million workers were paid below their state's minimum wage. This means that American workers lost out on more than $15 billion of wages they should have earned - money that could have directly gone towards helping pay for rent, groceries, or other essential living costs.

Unfortunately, unscrupulous employers often take advantage of vulnerable workers by denying them the wages they deserve. It is important to know your rights and ensure you are receiving the appropriate wages as set by local and federal law. If you think your employer has violated minimum wage laws, contacted your state labor board or speak with an experienced attorney. Doing so may help you recover the wages you are owed and ensure that your employer does not take advantage of anyone else in the future.

Additionally, it is also important to remember that minimum wage laws can vary from state to state, so make sure you understand what the standard rate is for where you live and work. An informed workforce is a powerful one and by knowing your rights, you can help protect yourself from those who try to shortchange their employees. Minimum Wage Violation should never be tolerated - know your rights, stay informed, and don't let someone get away with stealing your hard-earned money!

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California State Minimum Wage

As of 2021, California State Minimum Wage is $14 per hour for employers with more than 26 employees and $13 per hour for those with 25 or fewer. This wage increase was part of a plan passed in 2016 called the "California Fair Wage Act," which will continue to raise the minimum wage until it reaches $15 an hour in 2023.

The new wages are intended to help California's working poor support themselves and their families, as well as create a better standard of living overall. Additionally, this law also requires that businesses provide additional pay increases if the cost of living rises faster than anticipated.

If you're an employee in California, it's important to be aware of your rights under this law so that you can make sure you're being paid correctly. It's also important to know the wage laws in your state and city, as they may vary from the state minimum wage. With continued vigilance, this law will help elevate wages and improve the quality of life for California's workers.

The pay increase has been welcomed by many Californians, and it is a huge step towards providing a living wage for all workers throughout the state. Despite this progress, however, there are still millions of people who struggle to make ends meet even with this new wage increase. By tracking changes in pay over time, we can continue to level up wages so that everyone can benefit from a higher standard of living.

Additional information: The California Fair Wage Act includes other measures to protect employees, such as providing paid sick leave and protection against discrimination. For more information on the California Fair Wage Act, you can visit the website of the Department of Industrial Relations.

In addition to the new law, some cities in California have also enacted minimum wage laws that are higher than the state rate. It's important to check with your local government for any additional increases that may be in effect before beginning employment in a new city.

Overall, the State Minimum Wage increase in California is a huge step forward for many people. With this new law and continued vigilance, we can ensure that all workers are treated fairly and have access to a living wage.

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City of Los Angeles and Unincorporated Areas of Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles City Council's decision to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by July 2020 is a huge victory for low-wage workers in the city. This represents an increase of 100% over the current minimum wage rate and will provide much-needed financial relief to those struggling to make ends meet.

Moreover, this new rate is planned to increase annually based on an index of inflation, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners, and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This means that even with rising costs of living, workers will not be left behind - their wages will stay up to date with changing times.

What’s more? Unlike most states, California does not exclude waiters and waitresses from the state minimum wage. Therefore, even if you earn a significant portion through tips, you will still be able to enjoy the increased wages that come with this decision.

The new minimum wage rate is set to take full effect by July 2020 for most businesses and non-profits, although small businesses may have an extra year to comply. This will give them enough time to adjust their payrolls and restructure their budgets accordingly.

This monumental move towards higher wages for Los Angeles employees is sure to pay off in the long run - giving thousands of people access to a better quality of life and freeing them from economic hardship.

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Meal and Rest Breaks

According to the wage and hour law in the state of California, nonexempt employees are entitled to a 30-minute meal break if they work more than 5 hours in a day and two 30-minute meal breaks if they work over 10. However, an employee working a shift of over 5 hours is able to waive their 30-minute break as long as the employee works less than 6 hours. In addition, an employee working a shift over 10 hours may wave their second lunch if their shift is less than 12 hours.

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Often, employers will schedule employees for less than five hours per shift in order to avoid offering a 30-minute meal break. In this case, you are entitled to rest breaks. Every four hours of work, an employee in the state of California is entitled to a 10-minute rest break.

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If your employer has denied you a lunch or meal break during a shift, there are legal remedies that you can take to protect your rights.

At Ghozland Law Firm our top priority is to determine the best outcome for all our clients. Although filing a claim against your employer might feel as though your job could be in jeopardy, both state and federal law protects employees from Retaliation Firings.

How Long Will My Los Angeles Unpaid Wages Claim Last?

The timeline for a Los Angeles unpaid wages case will vary depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the dispute and whether it needs to proceed through any legal procedures. In general, unpaid wages claim in Los Angeles can take anywhere from two to four months if the parties can agree on a settlement before going to court.

However, if a lawsuit is filed and goes through the full litigation process, it could take up to two years or longer depending on how complex the details are. It's important to note that this timeline may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances beyond either party's control. As such, there is no definitive answer when it comes to predicting exactly how long a particular case may last.

The best way to ensure a timely resolution is to work closely with an experienced attorney who has a good understanding of the current labor laws and regulations in Los Angeles. An attorney can provide sound legal advice that will help you build a strong case and maximize your chances of getting the wages you are owed promptly. Additionally, an experienced lawyer can help guide you through each step of the process and make sure all applicable deadlines are met.

Ultimately, how long it takes for an unpaid wages case to be resolved depends on several different factors, but working with a knowledgeable attorney can significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to get paid what you’re owed.

If you think you may have been denied fair compensation for your work, it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. With the right legal counsel, you can ensure that your case is handled effectively and efficiently so that you get the full compensation you deserve promptly.

What Is My Los Angeles Unpaid Wages Case Worth?

When it comes to unpaid wage cases in Los Angeles, the amount of money that can be recouped depends on a variety of factors. The most common types of wage and hour claims involve violations of minimum wage laws, overtime pay laws, meal and rest break violations, unreimbursed work expenses, wrongful termination, or misclassification as an independent contractor.

The total value of a Los Angeles unpaid wages case is determined by calculating the direct damages – such as back wages owed to you for hours worked – plus any additional damages available under California labor law. Additional damages could include interest on unpaid wages, liquidated damages up to 30 days’ worth of wages for willful violations (or up to 60 days’ worth for a second offense), and attorney’s fees.

The exact amount of damages that you can receive from your unpaid wages case in Los Angeles will depend on several factors, such as the type of wage violation involved, the severity of the violation, the length of time between when you were denied wages and when you filed a claim, and whether your employer was aware that their actions constituted a violation. California law also imposes a three-year statute of limitations for filing an unpaid wages lawsuit; if more than three years have passed since the alleged violations occurred, you may no longer be eligible to seek compensation.

It is important to note that while some employers may try to settle out of court with employees who have been wrongfully denied wages, the amount of compensation offered may not fully cover all the damages to which you are entitled. This is why it is always best to seek legal advice when dealing with an unpaid wages case in Los Angeles and have a lawyer review your case before accepting any kind of settlement. A skilled attorney will ensure that you receive fair and just compensation for your lost wages.

If you believe that your employer has violated California wage and hour laws, then an unpaid wages case in Los Angeles may be worth pursuing. No matter what the situation, it is important to understand all the potential damages available to you under California law so that you can make informed decisions about how to proceed. With an experienced lawyer on your side, you can maximize your chances of getting the compensation that you deserve.

By understanding the details of your case and all the factors that could affect its total value, you can be sure to get the best possible outcome from an unpaid wages case in Los Angeles. Contact a legal professional for more information about how to proceed with your situation.