Understanding California Overtime Laws and Overtime Pay

Below are some common questions we receive from our clients:

Question: Is there a limit on how many hours an employee can work per week?

Answer: There is no limit on the number of hours’ employees may work in any workweek. 

Question: We work ten hour shifts four days a week. Do I need to pay the daily overtime?

Answer: If your company has instituted a bona fide alternate work week in which you normally work 10 hour days, 4 days a week the overtime would accumulate after 10 hours rather than 8, but still after 40 hours in a work week. This alternate workweek must meet certain formalities and cannot be done on a person by person basis.

Question: If I do not work on Monday but get paid, vacation, sick time or holiday pay and work the rest of the week including Saturday, do I get overtime pay for Saturday?

Answer: No, the law does not require employers to pay overtime unless the employee has performed “ACTUAL WORK” in excess of 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week.

Question: If employees work more than eight hours on Saturday do I need to pay them overtime?

Answer: Yes, anytime you work more than eight hours in a day (unless you are on a modified schedule) or 40 hours in a week you must pay overtime.

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If you require assistance understanding overtime laws or any other matter related to your business, please contact us at info@dsahrsolutions.com or (707) 361-5385.