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Pay & Scheduling

California has extensive rules that determine how employees are paid. It is important that you understand the laws pertaining to amount, timeliness and form of payment. You should also be aware of rules governing overtime, breaks, makeup time and alternative schedules.

California Wage and Hour LawCalifornia Wage and Hour Law
California’s wage and hour laws rank among the toughest in the nation. When federal law sets a standard, California law often goes beyond that standard, requiring more of employers.

Wage and SalaryWage and Salary
This section begins with a comprehensive discussion of California’s minimum standards for straight-time hourly wages, incentive pay and special pay arrangements as required by the Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) Wage Orders.

Deductions from WagesDeductions from Wages
You cannot collect previously paid wages from an employee. This prevents the fraud usually associated with kickbacks.

Incentive PayIncentive Pay
In some businesses, tips and gratuities make up part of employees’ pay in addition to wages. In other businesses, piece rates, commissions and bonuses make up all or part of employees’ pay.

Uniforms, Tools and EquipmentUniforms, Tools and Equipment
If you require specific uniforms, tools or equipment as a condition of employment, or if the law requires you to provide certain equipment, you must provide and maintain the uniforms, tools or equipment, regardless of how much the employee is paid.

Hours of Work and Recording Time WorkedHours of Work and Recording Time Worked
There are only three Wage Orders which limit employees' weekly work hours.

Overtime PayOvertime Pay
This provides a detailed explanation of overtime rules, and exceptions for paying overtime in California. California overtime laws favor employees more than federal overtime rules and exceptions.

Meal Break and Rest BreakMeal Break and Rest Break
You may not require an employee to work for a period of more than five hours per day without providing him/her with a 30-minute unpaid meal break. You owe the employee one hour of pay if the employee is unable to take one or more meal breaks.

Alternative Workweek SchedulingAlternative Workweek Scheduling
Alternative workweek scheduling in California allows nonexempt employees to work more than eight hours per day without requiring daily overtime payment.

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