PAGA: The Private Attorneys General Act
Help For Workers
Employers who do not abide by the Labor Code’s requirements for paying wages and providing breaks are concerned about power in numbers, where large numbers of employees or former employees bring class action lawsuits collectively. Employers try to avoid this by making employees sign arbitration agreements, which waive not only the right to a jury trial, but also the right to bring a class action lawsuit. Without the power to bring large scale financial exposure for unlawful employment practices, there is little incentive to change unethical practices.
This is where PAGA comes in.
The Private Attorneys General Act, commonly known as PAGA, allows an attorney to act on behalf of a labor board and protect the rights of California workers. PAGA is especially important for workers who have been mistreated by their employers. More importantly, PAGA claims are not subject to arbitration, and allow employees to group together to enforce labor and employment rights.
PAGA: The Private Attorneys General Act
Help For Workers
Employers who do not abide by the Labor Code’s requirements for paying wages and providing breaks are concerned about power in numbers, where large numbers of employees or former employees bring class action lawsuits collectively. Employers try to avoid this by making employees sign arbitration agreements, which waive not only the right to a jury trial, but also the right to bring a class action lawsuit. Without the power to bring large scale financial exposure for unlawful employment practices, there is little incentive to change unethical practices.
This is where PAGA comes in.
The Private Attorneys General Act, commonly known as PAGA, allows an attorney to act on behalf of a labor board and protect the rights of California workers. PAGA is especially important for workers who have been mistreated by their employers. More importantly, PAGA claims are not subject to arbitration, and allow employees to group together to enforce labor and employment rights.
A Vehicle for Change and Accountability
PAGA is a vehicle to change and correct unlawful wage and hour practices, as well as illegal working conditions. It gives private citizens the right to band together in a way that holds employers accountable. PAGA may be helpful to you if:
You were not paid properly (time and a half) for overtime — work you did in excess of 40 hours a week or eight hours a day
You were denied proper meal breaks or rest breaks as defined by law.
You’re looking for legal advice about an employer that cheated you on payroll or another wage and hour issue.
Where B&H Can Help
At the law firm of Buchsbaum & Haag, LLP, based in Long Beach, we know how PAGA works, and we know how to use it to protect our clients’ rights. Attorneys with the firm represent employees in wage and hour class actions. We can answer questions like:
Do I get overtime if I am paid a salary?
What are my meal period rights?
How many hours must I work to be entitled to a rest period?
What about my sales commissions if I’m terminated?
Am I entitled to my leftover vacation pay immediately upon termination?
Can my employer be penalized a full day’s pay for each day they don’t pay me what I am owed?
What sick pay am I entitled to?