How to Tell If Your Employer Is Committing Wage Theft in Los Angeles

ByMaggie Boileau

Wage theft is one of the most common and damaging violations faced by workers across Los Angeles. It does not always look like money being taken out of your paycheck. Often, it shows up in the hours that go unpaid, the breaks you never get, or the expenses you are told to cover on your own. At Fraigun Law Group, we represent workers in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California who have experienced wage theft. If you think something is off with how you are being paid, you are not alone. California law may be on your side.

What Is Wage Theft?

Wage theft happens when an employer fails to pay workers what they are legally owed. Under California law, this can include:

  • Paying less than minimum wage
  • Not paying for all hours worked
  • Failing to pay overtime
  • Denying required meal and rest breaks
  • Forcing workers to work off the clock
  • Withholding final pay after termination
  • Misclassifying employees as independent contractors
  • Refusing to reimburse for work-related expenses

In Los Angeles, wage theft is not just unfair. It is illegal. California’s Labor Code and the City of Los Angeles’ local wage enforcement rules provide strong protections for workers. Employers who violate these laws may face penalties and be required to pay what is owed.

Signs You Might Be Experiencing Wage Theft

If any of these situations feel familiar, it may be time to take a closer look.

You work more than eight hours a day or forty hours a week, but your paycheck is always the same.
California law requires overtime pay after eight hours in a day or forty hours in a week. Double time kicks in after twelve hours in one day.

You are told to clock out but keep working.
If your employer expects you to finish up after your shift has ended without pay, that is considered off-the-clock work and it is not legal.

You are not given your meal or rest breaks.
Workers are entitled to a thirty-minute meal break for every five hours worked, and a ten-minute rest break for every four hours. If you work through these breaks without pay, you may have a claim.

You are covering your own work expenses.
If you are using your personal vehicle, phone, uniforms, or equipment for work, your employer must reimburse those costs under California law.

You did not receive your final paycheck on time.
If you were fired, you should be paid immediately. If you quit, final pay is due within seventy-two hours. Any delay or missing pay can be a violation.

You are called a contractor but treated like an employee.
If you follow a fixed schedule, use company equipment, and are supervised by management, your classification may be incorrect.

What Should You Do If You Suspect Wage Theft?

Start by documenting everything. Save your pay stubs, schedules, time cards, and any messages from your employer. Write down your hours and any time you worked without pay.

Then, learn your rights. In California, you are entitled to:

The City of Los Angeles has its own wage enforcement division, and the California Labor Commissioner accepts wage theft claims as well. However, the process can be confusing. Many workers hesitate to come forward because they fear losing their job or being mistreated for speaking up.

Fraigun Law Group Believes in Protecting Workers

Wage theft takes away more than money. It creates stress, instability, and a sense of being taken advantage of. At Fraigun Law Group, we help workers throughout Los Angeles protect their rights and hold employers accountable. If you are unsure about your situation, you do not have to figure it out alone. Our firm is committed to helping workers get informed and understand what options are available.

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