Wage and hour disputes
Wage and Hour Disputes: Protecting California Workers from Unpaid and Unfair Labor
Every hour you work has value — and every paycheck you earn should reflect your hard work. Yet, across California, thousands of employees are underpaid, denied overtime, or pressured to work off the clock. This is not just unfair — it’s illegal.
At Smith & Reback, we represent employees who’ve been denied fair pay, proper breaks, or overtime wages. We hold employers accountable for violating state and federal labor laws, and we fight to recover the compensation you’ve rightfully earned. Whether you’re a salaried professional, hourly worker, or contractor misclassified as self-employed, you deserve to be paid fairly for every minute you work.
What Are Wage and Hour Violations?
Wage and hour violations happen when employers ignore labor laws to cut costs or exploit workers’ time. Common examples include:
Unpaid Overtime: Failing to pay time-and-a-half for hours worked over 8 in a day or 40 in a week.
Meal and Rest Break Violations: Denying or interrupting legally required breaks.
Off-the-Clock Work: Expecting employees to perform duties before clocking in or after clocking out.
Misclassification: Labeling employees as “independent contractors” to avoid paying benefits or overtime.
Unpaid Wages and Bonuses: Withholding paychecks, commissions, or promised incentives.
Minimum Wage Violations: Paying less than the state or local minimum wage.
If any of these apply to your situation, your employer may be violating California Labor Code and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) — and you have the right to take action.
You Have Legal Protection
California has some of the strongest wage and hour laws in the country. Under these protections, employers are required to:
Accurately track and record all hours worked.
Pay overtime correctly and promptly.
Provide uninterrupted meal and rest breaks.
Compensate employees for any work-related tasks performed “off the clock.”
When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for back pay, penalties, and attorney’s fees. Smith & Reback has a proven record of recovering unpaid wages and helping workers reclaim what they’re owed — often exposing systemic wage theft in the process.
How Smith & Reback Fights for You
Our attorneys are experienced in handling complex wage and hour cases, including individual claims and class actions involving groups of employees. We conduct detailed investigations, analyze payroll records, and uncover patterns of employer misconduct.
We fight to recover:
Unpaid wages and overtime
Meal and rest break premiums
Interest, penalties, and damages
Attorney’s fees and legal costs
Whether you’re still employed or were wrongfully terminated for speaking up, our team ensures your employer is held accountable — because no one should profit from exploiting their workers.
Why Choose Smith & Reback
At Smith & Reback, we stand on one simple principle: fair work deserves fair pay. We’ve successfully represented California employees across industries — from retail and construction to healthcare and tech — securing millions in settlements for unpaid wages and labor violations.
We pride ourselves on integrity, transparency, and results. You’ll always know where your case stands, what your options are, and how we’re fighting for you. With no fees unless we win, your pursuit of justice comes with zero financial risk.
Take Action — Protect Your Pay Today
If you believe your employer has shorted your pay, denied overtime, or violated labor laws, now is the time to act. The law limits how long you have to file a claim — and waiting too long could affect your right to recover full compensation.
📞 Call Smith & Reback today at 818-382-4000 to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
Our experienced employment attorneys will review your pay records, explain your rights, and help you recover the wages you’ve worked hard to earn.
At Smith & Reback, we don’t just fight for justice — we fight for your paycheck, your dignity, and your future.