Are public employers subject to the same wage and hour laws as private employers?
Yes, public employers in California are subject to the same wage and hour laws as private employers. These laws, which are established and enforced by the California Department of Industrial Relations, ensure that employees in both public and private sectors are guaranteed a certain amount of wages and rights. Public employers must abide by the same minimum wage, overtime, meal and rest break, vacation, paydays, and pay stub requirements as private employers. The minimum wage for public and private employees in California is currently $12.00 per hour. Employees who work for public employers must be paid at least the minimum wage for any hours they work. Additionally, most employees must be paid overtime for any hours worked over 8 hours in one day or over 40 hours in one week. Different regulations also apply to agricultural workers and employees of small businesses and government employers. Finally, any employee working in California regardless of their employer must be paid on a regular basis, receive itemized wage statements, and be provided a safe and comfortable workplace. All of these requirements must be met regardless of the employer’s size or sector. Public employers must ensure that all employees are aware of their labor and wage rights and are compensated fairly and lawfully.
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