California Law Requires Employee Break Periods
Tired? Stressed? Need a break? Well, it is your employer’s duty to provide you with one.
Many workers assume that they must work consistently during the hours required by their employer. Fortunately, this is not the case. In California, according to the Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders, employers are required to provide employees with a rest break of at least 10 consecutive minutes for each 4 hours worked; however, a rest period is not required for employees who work less than three and one-half hours. Generally, rest periods should occur in the middle of each work period. Because rest periods are considered as time worked, an employer must pay for rest breaks. Also for this reason, employers may require employees to take their rest break on the employer’s premises. The employer is mandated to provide a suitable resting place separate from toilet facilities. An employee is not required to take a rest break and may skip a break as long as the employer does not promote it. There are several exceptions to the “rest period” rule, including employees of 24-hour residential care facilities and swimmers, dancers, skaters, and other performers whose job requires strenuous physical activity.
If your employer failed to provide or pay for rest breaks, you are entitled to one additional hour at your regular rate of pay for each day the rest period was not permitted.
According to the holding by the California Supreme Court in the case of Murphy v. Kenneth Cole Productions, 40 Cal.4th 1094 (2007) and Labor Code section 226.7, a claim for violation of rest breaks must typically be filed within three years. As such, it is wise to take action early. Your first step should be to contact a California labor law attorney to ensure you are able to collect lost wages and penalties as far as 4 years back.
If for some reason you are unable to find a California employment attorney willing to accept your case you can also file a wage claim with the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). The DLSE will typically only reclaim lost wages as far as 3 years prior and further penalties are at their discretion as well. Your claim will be assigned to a deputy labor commissioner who will determine whether there should be a conference, hearing or dismissal of the claim. If the deputy determines that a hearing is warranted, then the parties will testify under oath and the Labor Commissioner will serve an order, decision, or award. In the event that an order, decision, or award is made in favor of the aggrieved employee and the employer does not pay, the DLSE will have a judgment entered against the employer. Another problem may arise if the employer retaliates against you because you object to or have filed a claim against the employer for failing to provide required rest breaks. If this is the situation, you should likewise contact a California Labor lawyer first if your desired results are not reached you can also file a claim with the Labor Commissioner’s Office.
If you believe you have been wrongfully denied a meal or rest breaks you should contact an experienced California labor law attorney. An attorney can guide you through the process and offer an unbiased evaluation of your particular situation.
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