Food Service Workers
Restaurant and fast-food workers face some of the most common wage and hour violations in California: split shifts, tip pool misuse, and pressure to skip breaks during rushes. Pay structure or "industry norms" don't override your legal right to fair pay and rest.
Some examples of wage violations in fast food service include:
Split shift pay violations: If your shift is split into two parts with more than an hour unpaid in between, your employer may owe you an extra hour of pay at minimum wage. (IWC Wage Order, Section 4(C))
Tip pool misuse: Tip pooling can only include front-of-house, tip-eligible employees, managers and supervisors cannot be included. (Labor Code §351)
Missed meal and rest breaks during rushes: Being short-staffed or busy doesn't excuse an employer from providing required breaks.
Off-the-clock prep or closing tasks: Prepping your station before clocking in, or completing closing duties after clocking out, may still count as compensable hours worked.
Fast-food minimum wage violations: Workers at qualifying fast-food chains (60+ national locations) are entitled to a $20/hour minimum wage under AB 1228.
Proven Results for California Workers
$18 Million
A Fast-Food Chain Settlement, Court-Approved Judgment
Wage and hour violations were uncovered. This chain failed to provide meal and rest breaks and shorted workers on minimum wage and overtime, along with penalties and interest. If you've experienced similar violations in your own workplace, this is the kind of pattern our team looks for.
Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome. Every case is different.
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