California

Unpaid overtime help in California

What California workers should know about overtime, and where to get help recovering unpaid wages.

California overtime rules

California requires time-and-a-half after 8 hours in a workday and after 40 in a week, double time after 12 hours in a day, and special rules for the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek.
The state's minimum salary for the white-collar exemptions is $1,352.00 per week ($70,304 a year), higher than the federal $684.
Federal claims generally reach back 2 years, or 3 for willful violations, often with an equal amount in liquidated damages.

Free help

U.S. Wage and Hour Division: call 1-866-487-9243. It's free and confidential. How filing works.
California labor department: many states accept wage claims directly and may apply additional state protections.
Legal aid: LawHelp.org lists free legal-aid programs by state for eligible workers.

Finding an employment lawyer in California

Look for attorneys who represent employees in wage-and-hour cases. Many offer free consultations and work on contingency because the FLSA lets winning workers recover attorney's fees. The state bar association and the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) offer directories. What to ask a lawyer.