Off-the-Clock Work: “Micro Work”

California Law Protects Your Right to Be Paid

Does your employer expect you to answer work emails after hours? Do you perform "quick tasks" before clocking in or after clocking out? At Frontier Law Center, we help employees recover wages they've earned for all work time—including those "small" off-the-clock duties that add up over time.

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Unlike federal law, California requires employers to pay for ALL time worked—even brief tasks that take just a few minutes.

This includes activities like:

  • Answering work calls or emails from home
  • Setting up or closing down your workstation
  • Completing "quick" tasks after clocking out
  • Attending brief meetings before your shift
  • Being available during meal or rest breaks

You Must Be Paid for Every Minute

The California Supreme Court has ruled that employers cannot avoid paying you by claiming these tasks are too minor to count. If you're working, you must be paid period. Even five minutes a day adds up to significant unpaid wages over time.

Common Violations by Employers

Many employers illegally try to avoid paying for off-the-clock work by:

  • Telling employees not to record small amounts of time
  • Requiring work during meal and rest breaks
  • Expecting after-hours availability without pay
  • Making employees finish tasks after clocking out
  • Failing to provide a way to record extra time worked

Your Legal Rights When Working Off the Clock

Under California law, you have the right to:

  • Be paid for ALL time worked, no matter how brief
  • Receive overtime pay if off-clock work pushes you over 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week
  • Take uninterrupted meal and rest breaks free from work duties
  • Receive accurate pay statements showing all hours worked
  • Recover unpaid wages plus penalties if your rights are violated

How We Can Help

If you've performed unpaid work outside your regular hours, Frontier Law Center can help you:

  • Calculate how much unpaid time you're owed
  • Determine if you're entitled to overtime pay
  • Recover penalties for missed breaks and wage violations
  • Hold your employer accountable for wage theft
  • Ensure you receive all compensation you've earned

Don't let employers take advantage of your time. California law is clear: if you work, you must be paid. Contact Frontier Law Center today for a free consultation about your off-the-clock work situation.

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You Need an Experienced California Unpaid Wage Attorney

Recovering unpaid wages in California often requires complex legal procedures. Our attorneys have successfully handled hundreds of wage and hour cases. We know how to calculate exactly what you are owed and how to build the strongest case possible. With an unpaid wage lawyer on your side, you can feel confident you will get the best possible result.

An attorney can also protect you from retaliation. It is illegal for employers to punish employees for asserting their wage and hour rights, but it still happens. Our lawyers will stand up for you if your employer tries to intimidate you in any way.

What Damages Can I Recover from My Employer?

With the help of an unpaid wage attorney, you can potentially recover:
·        Unpaid minimum wages
·        Unpaid overtime compensation
·        Meal and rest break premiums
·        Expense reimbursements
·        Waiting time penalties
·        Attorney’s fees and costs In some cases, you may also be awarded liquidated damages, which are equal to your lost wages as compensation for losses that are hard to quantify.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

Don’t wait to get help recovering the wages you have earned. The sooner you contact Frontier Law Center, the better positioned we will be to build your case and fight for you. We provide free case evaluations, so you have nothing to lose. Call us today at (800) 437-7991 or contact us online to get started.

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Call us now at (800) 437-7991 or chat with us.

Our dedicated team is 24/7 available for your case.

Chat with us