What are the California rules on overtime?

In California, the overtime rate must be paid for hours worked over eight in a workday and over 40 in a workweek. Additionally, there are special overtime pay rules for when an employee works all seven days in the workweek. Finally California also distinguishes between hours paid at time and a half and double time.

According the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), the daily overtime rules in California require employers to pay their nonexempt employees at least the following:

One and one-half times (1.5x) the employee's regular rate of pay

• For all hours worked in excess of eight hours, up to and including 12 hours in any workday, and
• For the first eight hours worked on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek.

Double (2x) the employee's regular rate of pay

• For all hours worked in excess of 12 hours in any workday, and
• For all hours worked in excess of eight on the seventh consecutive day of work in a workweek.

There are, a number of exemptions from the overtime law. There are also a number of exceptions to the general overtime law stated above.

For more specifics on California overtime rules, see:

• California DIR's Overtime FAQ
• SHRM's How to Guide: How to Calculate Daily and Weekly Overtime in California