If you live and work in California, you are the recipient of laws and regulations that are worker-friendly. From minimum wage to time off to take care of your family, the state is a good place to work.
According to CalChamber, the protection of California workers is a priority of labor laws, and one of the ways workers benefit from this is through overtime laws. A recent Supreme Court ruling determined that when an employer pays a flat bonus, the regular rate of pay takes into account only the nonovertime hours as opposed to the total number of hours. The state also requires employers to pay a premium overtime rate.
According to the California Labor Federation, California is also the only state to receive an ‘A’ rating from the National Partnership of Women and Families. This favorable rating is due to the state’s laws in regard to expecting and new parents. The state provides extended time for both sick days and family paid leave so that the income of new parents is not negatively affected due to the requirements related to taking care of a young baby. Employers must also provide adequate breaks and private space for nursing moms.
While many consider the state to be great for employees, this does not mean that all employers follow the rules and laws in place. Both the state and federal governments provide options to report these employers, but this can take time. In these instances, working with an attorney can be beneficial to make sure you receive what is right and fair.