The Department of Labor section of the United States Government has always stipulated the laws in relation to workers rights and rules within the workplace. Thousands every year pursue a course of legal action because one or more of these rights have been violated; however what are some of the California labor laws in existence today and how do they affect you as a worker especially in relation to wages?

In the state of California, the minimum wage is actually higher than the one put in place by Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Whereas the FLSA specifies that non-exempt employee’s (those considered to be exempt – executives, learned professionals etc – are not entitled to the minimum wage) are to be paid at least $7.25 per hour, in California the minimum is actually more at $8.00 per hour and no employee that is considered non-exempt, no matter what their job title or duties, is to be paid under that amount, legally speaking anyway.

Furthermore, there is no difference between adults and minors when it comes to the California minimum wage laws as there are in some states. Whether you are 19 or 40, the minimum wage applies to you as long as you are not, as stated above, an exempt employee. Indeed should you work at a bar or a restaurant, California labor laws also stipulate that any tips that you receive while on the job do not affect your minimum wage and your rights as an employee; so if you were to make $8.00 in tips in an hour then it doesn’t mean that this is money earned and your employer still has to pay you the correct amount.

Making sure that you receive the minimum wage that is specified in the legislation relating to California is paramount to your rights as an employee and many companies feel that they can get away with paying less; with the services of an employment lawyer you can ensure that you are receiving and maintaining your rights as an employee in the workplace.