California is known for its strong labor laws that protect the rights of workers and ensure they are treated fairly by their employers. This includes laws related to shift-based workers, who often face unique challenges in terms of working hours and pay. In this article, we'll provide an overview of the key labor laws for shift-based workers in California, including minimum wage, overtime rates, and examples of pay calculations.
Minimum Wage in California
In California, the minimum wage is currently set at $13 per hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees and $14 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees. This is higher than the federal minimum wage, which is currently set at $7.25 per hour. Additionally, minimum wage in California is set to increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Overtime Rates in California
In California, overtime pay is required for all non-exempt employees who work more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. Non-exempt employees are entitled to receive 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for any hours worked beyond 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. For example, if an employee earns the minimum wage of $14 per hour, their overtime pay rate would be $21 per hour.
If an employee works more than 12 hours in a day, they are entitled to receive double their regular rate of pay for the additional hours. For example, if an employee earns $14 per hour, their pay rate for hours worked beyond 12 hours in a day would be $28 per hour.
Examples of Pay Calculations
Here are two examples to help illustrate how pay is calculated for shift-based workers in California:
Example 1: An employee works 10 hours in a day and earns the minimum wage of $14 per hour. Their pay would be calculated as follows:
- 8 hours at $14 per hour = $112
- 2 hours of overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate = $21 per hour
- Total pay for the day = $112 + $42 = $154
Example 2: An employee works 15 hours in a day and earns $18 per hour. Their pay would be calculated as follows:
- 8 hours at $18 per hour = $144
- 2 hours of overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate = $27 per hour
- 5 hours of double time at 2 times their regular rate = $36 per hour
- Total pay for the day = $144 + $54 + $90 = $288
