Los Angeles Wage and Hour Lawyer

Wage and Hour Attorney In Los Angeles, CA

When you love your job, it may not feel like work. Even so, jobs are transactional arrangements by nature. When you perform tasks for your employer, you deserve to receive payment. Our economy relies on fair employment conditions and fair compensation. If you have encountered workplace abuses of your time or wages, a Los Angeles wage and hour lawyer can help.

Wage and hour claims can be among the most complex employment law issues, but Esperanza Anderson has been advocating for the rights of workers in the Los Angeles area for over 25 years. With her knowledgeable, client-first approach, she is confident and experienced in all aspects of the legal process, including litigation, so she can pursue all the compensation her clients deserve.

California Wage Laws

California employers are required to abide by the laws set forth in the California Labor Statutes, along with those established by the federal government. These laws set the minimum amount an employee can be paid, the hours they are allowed to work per week, and the minimum age for employment.

If an employer fails to comply with any of the wage and hour laws at the state or federal levels, they could face legal consequences for wage theft. Employers often break these laws through tacit or active violations, including:

• Minimum wage violations. An employee must be paid according to federal and state guidelines. In California, the current minimum wage is $16.90 per hour.
• Overtime violations. These violations are incredibly common. Employers may ask employees to work past their normal weekly schedule. If an employee works overtime, they are entitled to time-and-a-half pay.
• Break-time violations. This is another common violation in the workplace, and it can create safety concerns for employees. For every 5 hours worked, an employee is entitled to a 30-minute unpaid break. If the employee is working 6 hours or less, they may forgo their break, but the decision must be unanimous between the worker and their supervisor.

Vacations and Sick Leave

Another way in which employers can be guilty of workplace violations concerns vacation time and sick days. California laws require employers to give their employees paid sick days, which can be used for recovery from illness or to care for a sick family member.

Vacation leave or pay is not guaranteed through California law, but employers must adhere to the standards outlined in the employee contract. If paid time off or vacation pay is part of the employer/employee agreement, employers must fulfill their obligation to their employees or face potential legal action if the employee decides to pursue litigation.

Other Violations

Situations that can lead to serious wage and hour repercussions include:

• Asking an employee to come to work when sick
• Telling an employee to work excessive hours without overtime pay, which can often happen in salaried positions
• Preventing employees from using vacation or medical leave time

It is unlawful for employers to deny paid time off, refuse to pay overtime, or force a worker to return to their job while they are sick.

If you have faced any of the wage or hour violations above, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, over 176,000 employees qualified for back wages in 2025. Employers must be held accountable for breaches of employment law, and you deserve fair pay for the work you do. A seasoned Los Angeles wage and hour attorney can pursue justice when an employer violates their legal obligations toward you.

They can also file claims with the Labor Commissioner’s Office. The Los Angeles branch is on 320 W. Fourth Street, Suite 450, Los Angeles, CA 90013

FAQs

What Is the Most Common Wage and Hour Violation in California?

Meal and rest break violations constitute the most common wage and hour cases in California. These violations can become chronic, with harmful precedents set inside the workplace each time an employer does not enforce the mandatory 30-minute break for every 5 hours worked. Employees are often unaware of how many hours they are working without a break, especially in fast-paced jobs like retail and food service, when “rush” periods can make breaks difficult.

What Is the 4-Hour Rule?

The 4-hour rule protects employees who work shorter shifts by guaranteeing that they will be paid for at least half a normal workday if their employer asks them to work for less than 4 hours. This can protect employees who are sent home before a full shift is completed. Due to childcare costs and travel time to and from work on busy California roads, this law shields employees from undue financial burden.

What Are Some Illegal Things an Employer Cannot Do?

Some of the things an employer cannot legally do include:

• Withholding wages for hours worked
• Refusing to pay overtime
• Denying 30-minute breaks every 5 hours
• Denying sick days
• Forcing an employee to work when they are ill

There are other violations, but wage and hour violations are the most common. 25 new wage and hour claims are filed every day in California.

I Work a Salaried Position. Am I Entitled to Overtime If My Employer Asks Me to Work More Than 40 Hours a Week?

Perhaps. The laws around salaried employment and overtime are complex in California, and they depend on certain exemptions and guidelines that vary according to profession. All employers must adhere to state and federal laws concerning overtime, but certain thresholds must be met for a salaried employee to have legal recourse. When you hire a wage and hour lawyer, they can determine whether you have been subjected to a wage and hour violation.

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Call Us Today(626) 219-6773

If You Have an Employer Dispute, Hire a Wage and Hour Lawyer With a Proven Success Record

With nearly three decades of experience in all areas of employment law, Esperanza Anderson advocates for workers in Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale, and the surrounding area, in all professions and income levels. You deserve compensation for the hours you work and fair treatment in your workplace. When you book your consultation, our Los Angeles employment lawyer can answer all your questions carefully and clearly, explaining your rights under California law.

Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation. Se habla español.