San Diego Wage
& Hour Lawyers

Gietzen leverages litigation experience and advanced legal technologies to resolve wage and hour issues while maintaining predictable costs for both employers and employees throughout Southern and Central California.

Advocacy in Disputes

• Pursuing claims for unpaid wages, overtime, and meal/rest break violations
• Defending against individual and class action wage and hour lawsuits
• Representing clients in Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) actions
• Handling employee misclassification disputes

Dispute Prevention

• Auditing payroll practices and employment policies
• Drafting and reviewing employment contracts, handbooks, and wage policies
• Guidance on proper employee classification and overtime calculations
• Implementing systems for ongoing California labor law compliance

Wage & Hour Laws in California

Key regulations include the California Labor Code (minimum wage, overtime, breaks), Industrial Welfare Commission Wage Orders (industry-specific rules), PAGA (employee claims on behalf of the state), and the Fair Labor Standards Act (federal baseline protections).

Overtime Violations: What You Need to Know

California requires 1.5 times the regular rate for hours beyond eight daily or 40 weekly, and double time for hours beyond 12 daily or the eighth consecutive workday. Common violations stem from misclassification, improper hour tracking, incorrect rate calculations, hour averaging, and unpaid break time.

How We Handle Your Wage & Hour Claim

1. Free case review evaluating claim viability
2. Evidence checklist assistance
3. Investigation and strategy development
4. Negotiation first, litigation when necessary
5. Contingency-fee representation — no upfront costs
6. Regular progress updates