Does my job title control overtime?

No. Exemptions turn on actual duties and salary structure, not the label on your business card.

What if I was paid a salary?

Salary alone does not make you exempt. Many salaried workers still owe overtime under California tests.

Can I recover missed meal and rest break premiums?

When employers fail to provide compliant duty-free breaks, premium pay may be owed—often one hour of pay per violation type per day under the applicable rules.

PAGA lets eligible employees pursue civil penalties for certain Labor Code violations on behalf of themselves and other aggrieved employees. See our PAGA practice page .

Firm Home · Practice areas · Wage & Hour · Santa Monica

Wage & Hour Lawyer in Santa Monica

Employee-side wage-and-hour counsel for workers in Santa Monica and nearby California workplaces.

How we help Santa Monica workers

Workplace Rights Advocacy represents Santa Monica employees in wage-and-hour matters and related California claims. Santa Monica and Westside employers range from startups to hospitality and professional firms. Statewide employment protections apply; local counsel helps with intake and deadlines.

These cases focus on whether you were paid everything California requires—minimum wage, overtime when you were non-exempt, final wages on time, and premiums when rules about breaks were violated. Industries follow wage orders and Labor Code rules that can trip up employers who misapply exemptions or shave time.

Common wage-and-hour claim types

Frequent issues include unpaid overtime, meal and rest break premiums, wage theft, misclassification, expense reimbursement, and PAGA representative actions for Labor Code violations.

Try our wage & hour calculator for a rough unpaid-overtime estimate—then confirm with counsel.

Evidence that often matters

Pay stubs, time cards, schedules, and punch edits
Texts directing off-the-clock work
Job duties vs. exempt titles on offer letters
Break policies that exist on paper but not in practice
Final paycheck timing after separation

Frequently asked questions

Does my job title control overtime?: No. Exemptions turn on actual duties and salary structure, not the label on your business card.
What if I was paid a salary?: Salary alone does not make you exempt. Many salaried workers still owe overtime under California tests.
Can I recover missed meal and rest break premiums?: When employers fail to provide compliant duty-free breaks, premium pay may be owed—often one hour of pay per violation type per day under the applicable rules.
What is PAGA?: PAGA lets eligible employees pursue civil penalties for certain Labor Code violations on behalf of themselves and other aggrieved employees. See our PAGA practice page.

Supporting articles & guides

Statewide overview & other cities

Related practice areas

Call (800) 566-4868 Contact Us

Common questions

Answers we give on every page before you call. More detail is on our full FAQ page.

Do I have a case?

If you faced discrimination, harassment, retaliation, unpaid wages, wrongful termination, leave denial, or a refused disability accommodation, you may have claims. Whether your facts support a case depends on the evidence, deadlines, and applicable law—we evaluate that in consultation.

How much does it cost?

Initial consultations are typically free. If we take the matter, fees are usually explained in a written agreement before you hire us. Many employment cases are handled on contingency (see below).

Do you work on contingency?

In many employment matters, yes—attorney fees may be collected only if there is a recovery, subject to a signed fee agreement. Costs and fee arrangements can vary by case type; we confirm the terms up front.

How long will my case take?

Some matters resolve in months; contested lawsuits can take a year or longer through discovery, mediation, arbitration, or trial. Timing depends on the claims, court or arbitrator calendars, and whether the other side fights. See how long employment lawsuits take.

What should I bring?

Bring or upload what you have: a short timeline, pay stubs or time records, emails and texts, write-ups or reviews, medical or leave paperwork, and the names of witnesses or managers. See our documentation guide.

Free consultation?

Yes—initial consultations are typically free and confidential. Contacting us does not create an attorney–client relationship until there is a signed written agreement.

What happens after I contact you?

Our intake team reviews what you send, follows up if we need more detail, and screens deadlines and claim types. If the matter may be a fit, we schedule a consultation to discuss options, risks, and next steps—or we let you know promptly if we cannot help.