One of the biggest complaints of employees is that they are not sufficiently paid. Under federal and state laws, employers must pay their employees a minimum wage. Many cities have minimum wages as well.
The federal minimum wage in the U.S. is $7.25 per hour. In Los Angeles, however, the minimum wage is higher. On July 1, the minimum wage increased to $12 an hour for larger employers. Smaller companies will also have to pay $12 an hour, but not until January. The state of California’s minimum wage is heading up, but more gradually. Currently, it’s $10.50 per hour.
Employees cannot agree to work for less than minimum wage, although there are exceptions for salespeople, family members, apprentices, “learners” who have no experience, and employees who are mentally or physically disabled.
Unfortunately, many employers simply ignore minimum wage laws. Those employers may pay their employees cash, and often do not withhold any taxes or offer any benefits. Employees in those jobs are normally blue-collar employees, and may not speak English well or be in the country legally. They may choose to keep quiet in order to keep their jobs.
If an employer fails to pay minimum wage to an employee, the employee can file a lawsuit in court against the employer, or can file a wage claim with the state. In addition, there are laws against retaliation, so if your employer chose to fire you for speaking up, you can seek additional damages as well.
If you have not been paid minimum wage in Los Angeles, call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles employment law attorney at 310-385-0567. I can help. Call me today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation on your case.