Unpaid Overtime in Los Angeles: Your Rights Matter Under California Law
Working long hours without proper pay is one of the most common workplace violations in Los Angeles. From cannabis operations and warehouses to restaurants, retail, healthcare, and office roles, employees across Southern California are frequently denied overtime pay, required breaks, or wages for all hours worked. While California law offers strong protections for workers, employers often rely on confusion, misclassification, or silence to continue unlawful pay practices.
If you are working overtime in Los Angeles and your paycheck does not reflect it, California wage and hour law may be on your side.
California Overtime Laws and Employee Rights
California has some of the strongest overtime and wage protections in the country, and these laws apply fully in Los Angeles County. In most cases, non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay at one and one-half times their regular rate when they work more than eight hours in a single workday or more than forty hours in a workweek. When an employee works more than twelve hours in a day, California law requires double time pay.
Employers must also provide uninterrupted meal and rest breaks and pay additional compensation when those breaks are missed or shortened. Just as important, employees must be paid for all hours worked, including time spent before or after a shift, answering work messages, preparing equipment, or performing tasks the employer knows or should know are being done. An employer cannot avoid paying wages by claiming the work was not scheduled or formally approved.
Many Los Angeles workers are told they are salaried, exempt, or managerial when they are not. Job titles alone do not determine overtime eligibility. Under California law, what matters is the actual work performed and how much control the employee has. Misclassification is a leading cause of unpaid overtime claims throughout Southern California.
A Real Example of Wage Violations in California
Overtime violations are not isolated incidents, and workers have successfully challenged unlawful pay practices across the state. A recent wage and hour lawsuit involving cannabis workers at Glass House illustrates this clearly. In that case, employees alleged they were not properly paid for all hours worked, including overtime. The lawsuit resulted in a settlement compensating workers for unpaid wages.
This case is particularly relevant for Los Angeles workers because it confirms that California wage laws apply even in newer or highly regulated industries. Employers cannot bypass overtime rules simply because an industry is expanding quickly or operating in a complex regulatory environment. Workers have the right to be paid lawfully, and when employers fail to do so, legal action can lead to recovery.
You can read more about the case here:
https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/legal-news/california_labor_law/cannabis-workers-settle-wage-hour-lawsuit-with-glass-house-24279.html
If the circumstances described sound familiar, it may be time to evaluate whether your employer is complying with California overtime law.
Common Overtime Violations in Los Angeles Workplaces
Many employees do not immediately recognize wage violations because they often occur gradually or are normalized by workplace culture. Common signs include being asked to work off the clock, being discouraged from recording overtime hours, missing legally required meal or rest breaks, or receiving pay stubs that do not clearly show overtime rates and hours. Salary misclassification is also widespread, especially in industries where long hours are expected but overtime is rarely paid.
If you are experiencing any of these issues, it does not mean you are at fault. California law places the responsibility on employers to comply with wage and hour requirements, not on employees to sacrifice lawful pay.
What to Do If You Suspect Unpaid Overtime
If you believe you are not being paid correctly, documenting your hours and pay is an important first step. Keeping personal records of your work hours, missed breaks, schedules, and work-related communications can help clarify discrepancies. Saving pay stubs and employment documents is also critical.
Some workers attempt to resolve issues internally, and in certain cases payroll errors can be corrected. However, it is important to know that California law prohibits retaliation against employees who assert their wage rights. Speaking with an employment law attorney can help you understand whether your employer is violating overtime laws and what legal options are available to recover unpaid wages.
Los Angeles Workers Deserve Fair Pay
California overtime laws exist to prevent employers from shifting the cost of doing business onto employees. When workers in Los Angeles are denied overtime pay or required breaks, the financial impact often extends far beyond a single paycheck. These violations affect families, housing stability, and long-term financial security.
You should not have to choose between keeping your job and being paid what the law requires. Knowing your rights allows you to make informed decisions and take action when those rights are violated.
Contact Fraigun Law Group
If you are experiencing unpaid overtime, wage theft, or other wage and hour violations in Los Angeles or Southern California, Fraigun Law Group is here to help. The firm represents California workers in overtime and wage claims and works to recover unpaid wages and penalties under state law.
Contact Fraigun Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation. Understanding your rights is the first step toward protecting them and recovering the pay you have earned.
