Double-Time vs Overtime -- The difference in California

Labor law attorney Neil Shouse explains the difference between regular overtime and double-time in California, and when a labor lawsuit can be filed to collect unpaid overtime.

More info at https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/blog/dou... or call 1-(877)-SUE-MY-BOSS for a free consultation.

Non-exempt employees are entitled to two different levels of overtime pay when they reach a certain number of daily or weekly hours. Most workers are considered non-exempt employees. However independent contractors, and white collar professionals, supervisors, and managers who are considered "exempt employees" are not entitled to overtime pay.

With a few exceptions, under California law, employers are required to pay overtime to all non-exempt employees for any time worked over 8 hours in a single workday, or over 40 hours in a single workweek. Overtime is sometimes called time-and-a-half because it pays workers at 1 and a half times their hourly pay.

Double-time pays twice the hourly pay (or twice the regular rate of pay for salary employees). Workers start earning double-time pay after 12 hours in a single workday, and after 8 hours on the 7th day of a workweek.

Employers are required by California law to pay overtime to any non-exempt employee who works over the required hours, even if the owner, boss, or supervisor didn't approve the overtime. Employers are allowed to discipline or fire an employee for working unapproved overtime, but they still have to pay the employee for the hours they worked.

The biggest exception to overtime rules, is for employees that work for a union or under a collective bargaining agreement, such as union construction workers, teachers, or nurses, or even professional athletes. These organizations negotiate agreements for their union members that oftentimes stipulate exceptions to the overtime rules in California.

When employers refuse to pay their workers for the overtime they worked, they face the possibility of wage and hour lawsuits. With the help of a skilled and experienced labor law attorney, workers who have been denied overtime pay can seek money damages for backpay with interest, and in extreme cases they could receive punitive damages awarded by the court.

If you or a loved one is the victim of a current boss or former employer who refuses to pay overtime, we invite you to contact us at Shouse Law Group. We can provide a free consultation in office or by phone. We have local offices in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Long Beach, Orange County, Ventura, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and throughout California.