Employment Law: California Overtime, IIPP, and Worker Classification
Employing crews in California means following labor laws that are stricter than federal. Three high-yield topics: daily overtime, the required safety program, and how you classify workers.
1. California overtime — daily AND weekly
California pays overtime by the day, not just the week:
| When | Rate |
|---|---|
| Over 8 hours in a workday (up to 12) | 1.5× |
| Over 12 hours in a workday | 2× (double time) |
| Over 40 hours in a workweek | 1.5× |
| First 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day | 1.5× |
| Over 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day | 2× (double time) |
2. The Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
Every California employer must establish, implement, and maintain a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). (Cal/OSHA Title 8 §3203) It's the foundation of Cal/OSHA compliance — covering hazard identification, training, inspections, and correction.