In California, How Many Days in a Row Can You Work?

Tired worker in orange vest leaning on work dolly.

If you work seven days in a row in California, you may be eligible for overtime compensation.

What is the maximum number of consecutive days that can be worked?

In many circumstances, your employer will not be able to force you to work seven days or more consecutively.

However, there are several exceptions to this regulation as well as some loopholes that you should be aware of before filing a complaint about an excessive work schedule.

If you believe you have been a victim of a labor law violation, Potter Handy Employment Lawyers will conduct a free evaluation of your case.

 

In California, One of the Most Often Asked Questions Is: How Many Days in a Row Can You Work?

In general, every employee should be given a certain number of days off. The state of California generally prohibits an employer from asking you to work more than six days out of seven on a consistent basis. On the surface, it appears that this rule is rather simple to understand.

Surprisingly this rule does not necessarily imply that your employer cannot require you to work seven days in a row if the situation demands it.

California’s rest day regulations don’t always apply to employees who have worked consecutive days.

According to the language of the legislation, you cannot be required to work “more than six days in a seven-day period.”

However, the law explains this wording by requiring employees who do professions that need a longer workweek to be forced to work seven or more days in a row as long as one out of every seven days in a month is an accumulated rest day.

Therefore, all of your rest days may potentially occur at the end of the month without causing a violation of the law.

 

Rest Day Rules in California May Not Apply to All Employees.

You may also have different rights to rest days depending on the nature of your job and your specific employee status.

Exceptions to the rule that your employer cannot ask you to work more than six days out of seven include those who work for common carriers in the railroad business or those who are required to work in particular emergency situations.

Moreover, this restriction does not apply to employees who do not work more than 30 hours per week and who do not work more than six hours on any given day.

An expert employment attorney has the knowledge, abilities, and understanding to effectively fight for your right to take time off. An attorney can also assist you in determining whether your situation is illegal and in making the best choice about whether or not to submit a complaint with the appropriate authorities.

 

What to Do if Your Employer Is in Violation of the Rest Day Law?

So, you’ve come to the conclusion that your employer violated the law by denying you time off for rest. What is going to happen now?

In California, you have the right to submit a complaint against your employer with the California Department of Industrial Relations.

At the end of the day, your employer’s violation of labor law may entitle you to compensation or subject your employer to penalties.

If you believe you have been a victim of a labor law violation, Potter Handy Employment Lawyers will conduct a free evaluation of your case.