How to Avoid Costly Penalties for Missed Meal Breaks
As discussed in Bowles Law Report Volume 8, Issue 3, California courts have differed on what it means to “provide” hourly, exempt-from-overtime workers their meal and rest breaks. Until the California Supreme Court clarifies labor laws on breaks, we advise employers to err on the side of [...]

Can’t catch a break??  On-Duty Meal Breaks

In California, generally an employer may not have an hourly wage employee work more than five hours per day without providing that employee with at least a thirty minute meal break.  However, if that worker will complete the day’s work in six hours, the worker and employer [...]

CALCULATING OVERTIME WITH EMPLOYEE BONUSES IN CALIFORNIA
Calculating overtime for weeks when a worker earns a “nondiscretionary” production bonus can be is a trap for unwary employers.  Under California and federal law, employers must calculate overtime pay based on an employee’s regular rate of pay.  “Regular rate” is not necessarily the same as an employee’s “straight [...]