California Overtime Laws: Compliance, Payroll, and Exemptions

Overview:

California’s overtime laws stand apart from those in the rest of the country, with unique regulations that require daily overtime pay, double-time pay, and strict meal and rest break compliance. Employers operating in the state must navigate these laws carefully to ensure compliance and avoid legal risks.

Several companies across industries have faced significant wage and hour claims due to misclassification of employees or miscalculations in overtime pay. In Los Angeles, poultry processors were ordered to pay $1.47 million in back wages and penalties for wage violations, while various businesses have been cited for meal and rest break infractions under California labor laws. These cases highlight the importance of understanding what constitutes compensable work hours, how to correctly calculate overtime, and when exemptions apply.

With the Department of Labor’s 2024 Final Rule facing legal challenges, employers may be uncertain about how federal and state overtime exemptions will be handled going forward. While the rule aimed to increase salary thresholds for exempt employees, a Texas federal judge has blocked its implementation, leaving many employers questioning whether they need to adjust their payroll structures. Since California follows its own stricter exemption standards, how will this impact businesses operating in the state?

This webinar will address key questions, including:

• How do California’s overtime laws differ from federal regulations?
• What is meant by the “regular rate of pay,” and how does it impact overtime calculations?
• How do California’s meal and rest break laws influence overtime pay?
• When can employees “make up” missed work hours, and how does that affect overtime calculations?
• How do recent legal developments, including the DOL’s Final Rule and its legal challenges, impact wage and hour compliance?
• What industries and worker classifications face the highest risk of overtime-related penalties?

Additionally, California law places restrictions on consecutive workdays, make-up time policies, and overtime eligibility under collective bargaining agreements. For businesses with exempt employees, knowing the requirements for exemption status and how they align with federal standards is essential to ensuring compliance.

This session will provide an in-depth look at California’s overtime regulations, enforcement practices, and practical strategies for compliance. Through real-world case studies and key insights, participants will gain a clearer understanding of how California’s wage and hour laws apply to different industries and worker classifications, and how recent legal developments may impact compliance efforts.

Areas covered in the session:

• The FLSA basic regulations for all states
• The DOL’s 2024 final ruling on overtime and its subsequent developments
• What workers can be considered exempt from overtime
• California overtime basics
• California Regular Rate of Pay examples
• Additional pay subject to overtime in California
• CA labor code sections 510ff
• CA OT Enforcement
• CA OT Q&A

Why should you attend?

California has some of the most complex and employee-friendly overtime laws in the nation, far stricter than federal rules. Even if your company follows federal overtime policies, you may still be at risk for wage violations under California's unique requirements, such as daily overtime, double-time pay, and strict meal and rest break rules.

Failing to comply can lead to massive financial consequences—from wage and hour claims to class-action lawsuits and state-imposed penalties. Employers across industries, from healthcare to retail to tech, have faced millions in fines and settlements due to misclassifying employees or miscalculating overtime pay.

If your business operates in California, this webinar is essential. You’ll learn how to navigate the state’s strict overtime rules, avoid costly errors, and ensure compliance with labor laws that are aggressively enforced. Don't wait until a lawsuit lands on your desk—take proactive steps now to protect your organization.

Who Will Benefit?

This webinar is designed for professionals responsible for payroll processing, wage compliance, and employee classification, ensuring that organizations adhere to California’s strict overtime laws and evolving federal regulations.

Professionals That Would Benefit:

• Human Resources Professionals (HR Managers, HR Directors, HR Business Partners)
• Payroll Managers and Specialists
• Compensation and Benefits Managers
• Compliance Officers and Risk Management Professionals
• Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and Finance Executives
• Labor and Employment Attorneys
• Business Owners and Executives
• Operations Managers Handling Employee Scheduling and Compensation
• Internal Auditors and Corporate Investigators
• Employee Relations Specialists
• Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs)
• Labor Union Representatives
• Workplace Policy and Compliance Analysts