California labor laws are renowned for their comprehensive nature, providing many employee protections. However, they primarily apply to individuals who perform work within the state's borders. This includes individuals who physically work in California, regardless of their residency or the location of their employer.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) administers and enforces more than 180 federal laws. These mandates and the regulations that implement them cover many workplace activities for about 165 million workers and 11 million workplaces.
Contact DIR to request an interpreter over the phone: Office NameTopicPhone Numbers Cal/OSHA Workplace Safety and Health 833-579-0927 Labor Commissioner's Office Wages, breaks, retaliation and labor laws 833-526-4636 Division of Workers' Compensation Benefits for work-related injuries and illnesses 1-800-736-74011 more row
Labor Laws File a wage claim and learn about labor rights. Report labor law violations. File a retaliation or discrimination complaint. Contact the Labor Commissioner's Office at 1-844-522-6734 or EmploymentStatus@dir.ca.
The DLSE oversees and enforces California's Labor Code. Specifically, the Labor Commissioner inspects workplaces for wage and hour violations, adjudicates wage claims, and investigates retaliation complaints.
LC 1286(c) (See Chapter 3 of this digest). The Labor Code definition means, for example, the high school graduates under the age of 18, who are not subject to the compulsory education laws, are entirely excluded from permit requirements, work hour restrictions, and all occupational prohibitions.
The minimum wage in California, effective January 1, 2025, is $16.50/hour for all employers. Fast Food Restaurant employers, effective April 1, 2024, and Healthcare Facility employers, effective October 16, 2024 (see below), have a higher minimum wage.
Labor Code section 5401(a) defines first aid as “any one-time treatment and any follow up visit for the purpose of observation of minor scratches, cuts, burns, splinters, or other minor industrial injury, which do not ordinarily require medical care.
Living Wage Calculation for Santa Clara County, California 1 ADULT2 ADULTS (BOTH WORKING) 0 Children1 Child Living Wage $35.44 $34.44 Poverty Wage $7.52 $6.41 Minimum Wage $16.50 $16.50
California labor laws are renowned for their comprehensive nature, providing many employee protections. However, they primarily apply to individuals who perform work within the state's borders. This includes individuals who physically work in California, regardless of their residency or the location of their employer.