Hourly workers get paid based on the hours of work they perform. They have a right to pay for all time worked and may sometimes have the right to overtime wages. If employees work more than 40 hours per week, that might make them eligible for 150% of their standard hourly wages for the time worked after the 40th hour.
Federal overtime wage regulations apply in every state, and California workers have protection under state statutes as well. There are additional scenarios in which many California employees might be eligible for overtime pay.
What are the unique rules in California?
Hourly workers and non-exempt salaried employees who work more than 40 hours are eligible for overtime wages in California. The law also makes workers eligible for overtime if they work long shifts.
With exemptions for certain professions, including child care and medical work, employers often need to provide overtime wages if employees work more than eight hours per shift. State law entitles employees to double their usual hourly pay if they work more than 12 consecutive hours per shift.
Additionally, overtime wage laws in California effectively require a day of rest every week. If employees work seven consecutive days without one off, the time worked on the seventh day is overtime, regardless of whether they had put in 40 hours that week or not.
If employers do not uphold the unique overtime rules that apply in California, workers may have grounds to pursue wage claims. Filing a lawsuit requesting unpaid overtime wages in civil court is sometimes necessary when employers violate state statutes.