Wage and Labor Lawyers | Sherman Oaks

Wage and labor lawyers protect workers by fighting back against unfair practices used by employers who try to cut corners to save costs.

Every employee deserves to be paid fairly for their work, take time off to care for their family during medical emergencies, and work reasonable hours.

Further, certain employees are entitled to paid breaks under federal and state law. 

Employers who take advantage of workers’ vulnerabilities and deny workers their rights should be held to account.

The wage and labor lawyers at Starpoint Law fight for workers who have been mistreated by their employers in California. 

Common Types of Wage and Labor Lawsuits 

Employers violate workers’ rights in many ways, such as:

• Failing to pay them minimum wage, 
• Preventing them from taking breaks during their shifts, 
• Underpaying workers, or 
• Denying them the right to take family or medical leave. 

Starpoint Law understands how difficult it can be if you are taken advantage of by your employer.

The thought of standing up to your employer can sound intimidating, but our experienced team is unafraid.

Our Sherman Oaks wage and labor lawyers have helped numerous clients in your position successfully fight against unfair and illegal employer practices throughout Sherman Oaks and California. 

Minimum Wage Violations

California imposes strict minimum wage rules, requiring many employers to pay their employees a minimum of $15.50 per hour as of January 1, 2023.

This rise in the minimum wage began on January 1, 2017, and has been gradually increased yearly to allow employers time to adjust to the new requirements.

For example, in 2022, California law required employers to pay employees $14 to $15 per hour, depending on the number of workers the company employed. 

Regardless of why an employer failed to pay you, they can be held liable if they did not follow the state’s minimum wage rules. 

Failure to Allow Employees to Take Paid Breaks

California employers must allow employees to take at least a 10-minute paid break for every four hours worked.

The break should occur in the middle of the person’s shift unless the employer is engaged in construction or a similar industry where a break would interrupt the workflow.

Employees who work less than three and a half hours are typically exempt from the paid break requirements. 

During the rest break, employees are entirely off-duty and cannot be required to be on-site or on-call. Employers who violate this rule are subject to possible fines and penalties. 

Not Paying Workers Overtime Pay

In California, most workers must be paid 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for the time they work that exceeds 8 hours in one day or 40 hours in one week.

Employees who work more than 12 hours in one day are entitled to double their hourly rate for all hours worked over 12. 

Additionally, employees are entitled to time and a half for the first eight hours of work they perform on the seventh consecutive day of working.

California imposes overtime pay rules for certain salaried workers as well. 

Employers may try to cut corners by over-scheduling people for shifts or pressuring workers to stay past their shift’s end without providing them due compensation.

Wage and labor lawyers help fight against these practices and recoup the compensation duly earned by employees. 

Unlawfully Denying Employees Leave Requests

California and federal leave laws, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act, empower eligible employees to take leave when they experience qualifying life events.

These events include the birth or adoption of a child, a family member becoming ill, the employee becoming seriously sick, or a family member who is a service member needing assistance.

A wage and labor lawyer can help you file a claim against your employer if they wrongfully refuse your leave request. 

Underpayment of Wages Due to Misclassification of Employees

Finally, another common claim wage and labor lawyers help clients bring are claims for the underpayment of wages due to misclassification.

Many employers rely on independent contractors to help meet their business needs.

However, sometimes an employer will misclassify an employee as an independent contractor, which leads to the employee missing out on wages they are due.

In California, how a business treats a worker determines their status, not the job title the business gives them.

Employers who misclassify employees as independent contractors and do not pay them due compensation or benefits can be held liable under California law. 

How to Find the Best Employment and Labor Wage Lawyers in California 

If you were the victim of unfair employment and labor practices, you want to seek justice while protecting your rights.

But you may be concerned about retaliation or navigating an unfamiliar legal process.

Finding one of the best employment and labor wage lawyers in California can help you prepare your case against your employer and comply with filing deadlines and other important procedural requirements.

Wage and labor lawyers can also help you present the strongest case possible by arguing on your behalf. 

Online searches and referrals from friends, family members, or coworkers can help you locate an attorney you can trust.

You can also check an attorney’s website for client testimonials and information about their law practice to understand if they might be a good fit.

Finally, you can schedule a consultation with an attorney to determine if they have the experience, skill set, and time required to handle your case.  

Contact a Sherman Oaks Wage Lawyer at Starpoint Law Today

Contact a Sherman Oaks wage lawyer today. At Starpoint Law, we understand that our clients are often at a confusing and frustrating point in their lives.

They have been mistreated and taken advantage of by their employer, and they just want to get what they deserved in the first place: respect and compensation for their hard work. 

Our team diligently reviews every case and will take the time to explain the legal process to you.

We want you to understand everything you need to know about your claim and what to expect going forward.

Our approach has earned stellar reviews from past clients, who praise us for making them feel confident in our team right from the start.

If you have a wage or labor complaint, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.