California has some of the friendliest labor laws in the United States for employees. These laws are friendly because they protect employees’ rights and spell out, in no uncertain terms, the expectations for employers.
If you are an employee in California, wondering about your rights, these laws are very advantageous to you. If you are an employer in California, making sure you comply with state labor laws, you want to know what these laws say and whom they protect.
To put together this easy-to-follow guide, we reached out to our friends at the RD Law Group in California, and this is what they offered:
Wages and Overtime
Minimum Wage
By 2026, 149 cities and counties, including Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles, will require employers to pay at least $15 per hour. That will be $3 less than the current average wage across the 149 jurisdictions:
- For employers with 26 or more employees, the wage is $16 per hour
- Employers with 25 or fewer employees must pay at least $15 per hour
Moreover, multiple counties and cities in California have implemented their own local minimum wage rates that are higher than the state’s.
Overtime Laws
California labor laws provide that non-exempt employees are to receive overtime pay when they meet certain criteria. This includes:
- 1½ times the regular rate of pay for hours worked in excess of 8 hours in a workday or 40 hours in a workweek
- For hours worked beyond 12 hours in a workday, pay at the rate of double time
- 1.5 times the usual pay for the first 8 hours on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek and 2 times the pay thereafter
Meal and Rest Breaks
California law requires meal and rest breaks for non-exempt workers. These regulations mandate:
- An unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes is required for any work shift that lasts over 5 hours. This meal break must be given before the end of the fifth hour of work.
- Another 30-minute unpaid meal break for shifts exceeding 10 hours
- For each 4 hours (or significant fraction of it) worked, a paid break taken every 10 minutes.
Paid Sick Leave and Paid Time Off
The Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014, mandates that employees in California who have worked for at least 30 days are entitled to sick leave. The act states that an employee must be granted at least three days of paid sick leave a year. Moreover, a number of employers across California supply employees with paid time off or vacation benefits, although state law does not require such provisions.
Leaves of Absence
The labor laws in California grant numerous variations of protected leave, which take the form of:
- Medical and Family Leave (FMLA/CFRA)
- Pregnancy-Related Disability Leave
- Paid Family Leave (PFL)
- Bereavement Leave
Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Protections
The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) bans discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on several protected characteristics, including:
- Race
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Age
- Disability
- Religion
Wrongful Termination and At-Will Employment
California is an at-will employment jurisdiction, which means that employers can terminate employees for any lawful reason at any time. While it’s generally lawful for employers to terminate their employees, employees cannot be let go for reasons that breach state or federal laws.
If you feel like the reason you were terminated may violate local or federal law, you should get in touch with the worker’s law specialists at the RD Law Group in California.
Workplace Safety and Workers’ Compensation
California employers must maintain safe working environments as mandated by Cal/OSHA regulations. An employee injured on the job is generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits usually include the medical expenses and lost wages, among others.
Get in Touch with the RD Law Group in California About Your Worker’s Rights
The employee-protective labor laws of California serve to ensure fair play in the state’s workplaces. The Golden State’s wage laws are at the core of this function, ensuring workers are fairly compensated for their labors. Along with this, numerous regulations cover the ability of employees to take leave from their jobs for a multitude of reasons.
Another area of the law serves to provide a host of workplace protections to employees, ensuring that they can work in an environment that is free from discrimination. The laws and regulations concerning worker’s rights in California are extensive, that’s why you should consult with a qualified and experienced attorney for any questions or concerns.
