California Work Schedule Laws

The Golden State is known for having progressive labor regulations designed to protect employees’ rights and welfare. Among these are California work schedule laws, which regulate working hours, job schedules, and how employers create them. These laws offer essential employee protections, as they help guarantee predictable schedules and safeguard employee pay when unexpected changes happen. This article will look at key aspects of California work schedule laws, including how many days an employee can work in a row, overtime regulations, and whether employers can change work schedules on short notice. Contact us today to speak with a Los Angeles employment lawyer.

How Many Days Do Employee Work Schedule Laws Allow Employees to Work in a Row?

An important employee concern is how many days an employer can schedule an employee to work in a row. According to California Law, employees generally get one day of rest for every seven that they work. This means that, in most cases, an employer cannot schedule an employee to work more than six days without a day off. However, this rule doesn’t apply if an employee works less than 30 hours a week or doesn’t work more than six hours on any day of the week. There are also exceptions to this rule. For example, California allows employees in specific industries, such as agriculture and healthcare, to work more than six consecutive days under certain circumstances.

What Are Overtime Job Schedule Laws in California?

Overtime is another crucial part of job schedule laws in California. Overtime regulations ensure employers compensate employees fairly for extra work hours above a certain number of hours. California directs employers to pay employees overtime for the following:

  • Non-exempt employees receive overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular rate if they work more than 8 hours in a day or more than 40 hours in a week;
  • Non-exempt employees who work more than 12 hours in a single day get double their regular rate for hours worked beyond the 12-hour mark;
  • For non-exempt employees who work 7 days in a row, employers pay the first 8 hours at 1.5 times the regular rate, and any hours worked beyond that double the rate.

Failure to comply with these overtime laws can result in serious financial penalties for employers. If you believe your employer is violating work schedule laws, a skilled advocate at Bibiyan Law Group can assist you. We can review your case, offer professional, top-notch guidance, and help protect your rights.

What Are the Laws About Short Notice Work Schedule Changes?

Many California cities have individual rules and regulations about how and when to schedule employees, including provisions for accommodating an employee’s preferred hours and days, among other considerations. Since life is unpredictable and employers sometimes need to make last-minute scheduling alterations, these rules also cover the “hows” of rescheduling when making these changes.

Under California law, employers in specific industries, such as retail and food service, must provide employees with a schedule at least seven days in advance. And they must give employees 72-hour notice before changing an employee’s schedule. If the employer fails to do this and calls in an employee for a previously unscheduled shift, the employee may be entitled to additional compensation. Other cities, such as San Francisco, have enacted “predictive scheduling” laws requiring certain employers to provide two weeks’ notice of work schedules and to pay for shift changes. 

Depending on where in California you live, scheduling laws vary, so it’s always a good idea to speak with an employment lawyer if you have concerns. At Bibiyan Law Group, we can help you understand your city’s local scheduling laws and ensure your employer treats you fairly.

What Are the Consequences for Violating Work Schedule Laws?

Employers who fail to follow California’s work schedule laws face stiff penalties. These penalties can include paying back wages, overtime, and additional penalties for each violation. If you believe your employer violated work schedule laws, one option is to file a claim with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) of the California Department of Industrial Relations. The DLSE will investigate your claim and determine whether to impose penalties. It is also a good idea to consult with a skilled employment lawyer. At Bibiyan Law Group, our compassionate attorneys can review your case, help you file a claim, and hold your employer accountable.

Can my employer change my schedule last minute in California?

In California, most employers can change an employee’s schedule without prior notice under the Fair Labor Standards Act. However, some cities have stricter rules, requiring advanced notice for schedule changes.

Call Bibiyan Law Group, PC Today

If you have work schedule questions, Bibiyan Law Group can help. We only practice employment law and have honed our knowledge to offer candid, compassionate, and hard-hitting representation. We back our words with actions and have secured tens of millions of dollars in client settlements for employees like you. You are not alone in this fight. Together with our team of nearly 20 skilled attorneys, we can evaluate the problem and help you seek justice. Schedule a complimentary consultation now and let Bibiyan Law Group give your case the personalized attention it deserves.

Author Photo

David Bibiyan, a top attorney at Tomorrow Law™, specializes in employment law, fiercely defending employees in cases of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage issues. Known for his deep legal knowledge and dedication, he consistently secures favorable outcomes through skillful negotiation and litigation. His passion for justice drives his commitment to workers’ rights and fair employment practices.

Read More Articles by David Bibiyan

Rate this Post
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
1 votes, average: 2.00 out of 5
Loading...

For Legal Solution

Free Consultation

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

TESTIMONIALS

Customer Reviews

This law firm was extremely helpful and successful in my case. In a matter of 7 months they were able to settle my case! Joshua, Ariella, Vedang, and Iona were my attorneys and Aaron were extremely helpful in my case, always responsive and helped with any questions I had about my case. I was turned down by a few other law firms but this law firm took me seriously and won! I’m very satisfied with all of their services.

Fiorela A

They will always answer your calls and call you with updates to keep you informed. I had the pleasure of working with many of them and they are all great individuals. Bibiyan Law Group won two of the two cases I had with them and I’m pretty happy with them. I would recommend you give them a call.

Jose B

Super nice people. I opened a case with them and it took a while like most cases do but they made it very easy for me. I basically just told them what happened and they handled everything until the case closed while updating me in between and answering questions if I had any. Thank you!

Kaley C

Bibiyan Law Group was by far a great choice to make for my wrongful termination lawsuit. They kept me in the loop with all the details and supported me along the way until I received my settlement. Thank you for everything. Would recommend!

Charles S
View All