California Labor Code

California Wage & Hour Hub

Your employer owes you more than you think. Use our free calculators to quantify unpaid wages, overtime, meal break penalties, and PAGA violations. Then generate a professional demand letter.

1.5x
Overtime Rate
$16+
CA Min Wage 2024
30 days
Waiting Time Max
$100/day
PAGA Penalty
Average Recovery
$12,500
per wage claim
Free Tools

Wage & Hour Calculators

Calculate exactly what your employer owes you under California law

Overtime Calculator

Calculate unpaid overtime including daily and weekly overtime rates

Daily overtime (over 8 hours)
Double time (over 12 hours)
7th day overtime rules

Meal & Rest Break Calculator

Calculate penalties for missed or late meal and rest breaks

1 hour premium per violation
Meal break timing rules
Rest break requirements

Waiting Time Penalty Calculator

Calculate penalties when final paycheck is delayed

Up to 30 days of wages
Termination vs. resignation rules
Good faith defense analysis

PAGA Penalty Calculator

Estimate PAGA civil penalties for Labor Code violations

$100/employee initial penalty
$200/employee subsequent
25% employee share calculation

Expense Reimbursement Calculator

Calculate unreimbursed business expenses under Labor Code 2802

Mileage reimbursement (IRS rate)
Cell phone & internet usage
Home office expenses

Statute of Limitations Lookup

Check filing deadlines for your wage claims

Wage claims: 3-4 years
PAGA claims: 1 year
Waiting time: 3 years

Wage Claim Demand Letter Generator

Create a professional demand letter citing California Labor Code

Select violation type(s):

Overtime Claims
California requires overtime after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week
Popular Generator
Unpaid Overtime Demand
Demand unpaid overtime wages including daily overtime, double time, and 7th day premium pay.
Labor Code 510, 1194
Generator
Exempt Misclassification
Misclassified as exempt when you should be non-exempt? Recover all unpaid overtime.
Labor Code 515, Wage Orders
Generator
AB5 Misclassification
Independent contractor misclassification under AB5's ABC test. Recover employee benefits.
Labor Code 2775 (AB5)
🍽
Meal & Rest Break Violations
1 hour of pay for each missed or late break
Popular Generator Calculator
Meal Break Violations
30-minute meal break required within first 5 hours. Late or missed = 1 hour premium pay.
Labor Code 512, 226.7
Generator
Rest Break Violations
10-minute paid rest break per 4 hours worked. Employer must provide, not just permit.
Labor Code 226.7, Wage Order 4
Respond
Employer Response Guide
For employers: How to respond to meal/rest break claims. Defense strategies and settlement options.
Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court
PAGA Claims
Private Attorneys General Act - sue on behalf of all employees
Popular Generator Calculator
PAGA Notice Generator
Generate proper PAGA notice to LWDA. Required 65 days before filing lawsuit. $100-$200/violation.
Labor Code 2698-2699.5
Generator
Wage Theft Demand
Comprehensive wage theft demand covering multiple violations. Can be precursor to PAGA.
Labor Code 200-244
Calculator
PAGA Penalty Calculator
Calculate potential PAGA penalties. Employee keeps 25%, state gets 75%.
Labor Code 2699(i)
📅
Final Paycheck & Waiting Time
Up to 30 days of wages as penalty for late final pay
Popular Generator Calculator
Final Paycheck Demand
Terminated? Final pay due immediately. Quit with notice? Due on last day. Penalties accrue daily.
Labor Code 201-203
Generator
Unpaid Commissions
Commissions earned must be paid even after termination. Post-employment commissions may be owed.
Labor Code 204.1
Calculator
Waiting Time Calculator
Calculate up to 30 days of wages as waiting time penalties for delayed final paycheck.
Labor Code 203
Quick Reference

California Wage & Hour Penalties

Key deadlines and penalty amounts under California law

Violation Type Penalty Deadline Law
Missed Meal Break 1 hour of pay per day 3 years Labor Code 226.7
Missed Rest Break 1 hour of pay per day 3 years Labor Code 226.7
Unpaid Overtime 1.5x or 2x regular rate 4 years Labor Code 510
Late Final Paycheck Up to 30 days wages 3 years Labor Code 203
PAGA Violations $100-$200/employee/pay period 1 year Labor Code 2699
Inaccurate Pay Stub $50-$100 per pay period 1 year (PAGA) Labor Code 226
Unreimbursed Expenses Full reimbursement + interest 4 years Labor Code 2802

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