Index
Employment & LaborCalifornia, USA

California Overtime Pay Regulations

Summary

California has the strictest overtime rules in the US. You must be paid 'time and a half' for any work over 8 hours in a single day, and 'double time' for anything over 12 hours.

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    You get 1.5x pay for any hours over 8 in a single day.
  • 02.
    You get 1.5x pay for the first 8 hours worked on your 7th consecutive day of work.
  • 03.
    You get 2.0x pay (double time) for any hours over 12 in a single day.
  • 04.
    You get 2.0x pay for any hours over 8 on your 7th consecutive day of work.
  • 05.
    These rules apply even if you agreed to work for 'straight time'—you cannot waive these rights.

Penalties

  • 01.
    Unpaid overtime is 'wage theft.' Employers can be sued for the unpaid wages, interest, and legal fees.
  • 02.
    If you aren't paid upon termination, you can collect 'waiting time penalties' (one day of pay for every day you wait, up to 30 days).

Verified Citations

California Labor Code Section 510

Source
"Any work in excess of eight hours in one workday... and any work in excess of 40 hours in any one workweek... shall be compensated at the rate of no less than one and one-half times the regular rate of pay..."