• California labor laws protect employees from unfair working conditions.California flag image by palmer530 from Fotolia.com
  
  California labor laws are designed to protect employees by ensuring them a minimum wage and a safe working environment. Employees are entitled to overtime pay if they work a certain amount of hours per day or week. Minors in California are legally allowed to work, however different labor laws apply, and they may only work on certain days and during certain hours. The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) enforces labor standards in California.
  
  

Payment And Overtime

• California employees are entitled to a minimum wage.cash or card image by Pierrette Guertin from Fotolia.com
  
  Every worker in California who is legally allowed to work is entitled to earn a minimum wage, which is $8.00 an hour as of July, 2010. All employees in California may not work more than eight hours a day, or 40 hours per week without earning overtime pay. Overtime pay equals one and one-half times the normal rate of pay an employee would receive per hour. If an employee works for more than 12 hours on any given day, they shall receive twice the amount of their normal rate for each hour they work past the twelfth hour. Employers have the right to require employees to work overtime but if the employee refuses the employer has the right to fire them.
  
  

Child Labor

• Minors in California may only work certain hours.CLOCK image by SKYDIVECOP from Fotolia.com
  
  Different labor laws apply for minors who work in California. Any minor between the ages of 12 and 17 must first obtain a permit to work before they can hold a job. The permit can only be granted to work a specific job at a specific address. Any minor who is 14- or 15-years-old cannot legally work during school hours and can only work between the hours of 7:00 a m and 7:00 p m during the school year. When school is not in session, minors who are 14 or 15 years of age may work until 9:00 p.m., but they may not work more than eight hours per day. All minors must receive a rest break after working for four hours, and a 30-minute meal break after working for five hours.
  
  

Safety

• OSHA protects employees from hazardous working conditions.pylon on side image by William Berry from Fotolia.com
  
  Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, all workers in California are entitled to a hazard-free workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has the responsibility of enforcing all workplace safety regulations. Under California law, any employee has the right to request an inspection of their work environment from an OSHA inspector. California employees also have the right to file a complaint with OSHA without fear of losing their job or being retaliated against by their employer. Any work-related injury must be reported to OSHA if the injury results in death or more than two people being hospitalized. Employers must file the report within eight hours of the incident.