Daily overtime
Non-exempt employees generally earn 1.5 times their regular rate for work over 8 hours in a day or 40 in a week, and double time for work over 12 hours in a day.
Unpaid wages and overtime · California
Worked the hours?
Get paid for every one of them.
California wage rules are stricter than federal law: overtime can be owed per day, missed breaks carry a premium, and a late final paycheck can trigger penalties. An independent employment attorney checks what you are owed and whether a court claim or a claim with the Labor Commissioner fits better.
A free, no-obligation first call. Fee terms explained in writing before any work starts.
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The essentials
What matters for a wage claim?
Meal and rest breaks
If a required meal or rest break is not provided, the employer generally owes one extra hour of pay at your regular rate for each workday it happened (Labor Code §226.7).
Final paycheck
If you are fired, final wages are generally due immediately. If you quit, they are due within 72 hours, or on your last day if you gave at least 72 hours' notice (Labor Code §§201–202).
Waiting-time penalties
If an employer willfully pays final wages late, it can owe up to 30 days of your daily wages as a penalty (Labor Code §203).
Easy to start
No big leap.
Just a first step.
You tell us what is going on. We find the right attorney for it.
- 01
A few words about your situation.
Choose your topic and leave your contact details. You don’t need a complete file to get started.
- 02
A free first call.
Our intake team gets in touch, clarifies what you need and connects you with an independent attorney licensed in California.
- 03
Clear fee terms before any work.
The attorney reviews your case and explains the scope and the fee arrangement in writing. You decide whether to go ahead.
For later, not for now
What you can have
ready for the call.
You don’t need to upload anything in the form. These documents can help later:
- Pay stubs and your offer letter or pay rate
- Your own record of hours, shifts and missed breaks
- Your job title and duties, if you were treated as exempt or as a contractor
Wage claims become harder to prove as records get older, and limitation periods apply. An enquiry does not stop any deadline.
You may still be wondering …
Before we
talk.
I'm salaried. Can I still be owed overtime?
Yes, possibly. Being paid a salary does not by itself make you exempt. California exemptions depend on your actual duties and on a minimum salary level. Many salaried employees are misclassified.
Can my employer retaliate if I file a wage claim?
Retaliating against an employee for complaining about unpaid wages or filing a claim is prohibited under the California Labor Code. Retaliation can be a separate claim.
What does the first call cost?
The first call is free and without obligation. If you want an attorney to take on your matter, the attorney explains the scope and fee arrangement in writing before any work starts.
What happens after I send my request?
Our intake team reviews your request and gets in touch to clarify it and arrange the call. Sending the form does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not book an appointment.
The first step is free
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