Options for Youth-California, Inc. Facing California Labor Code Violation Allegations
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In recent news, Options for Youth-California, Inc. is facing allegations of multiple California Labor Code violations.
The Case: Anthony Gutierrez v. Options for Youth-California, Inc.
The Court: San Bernardino County Superior Court
The Case No.: CIVSB2132685
The Plaintiff: Anthony Gutierrez v. Options for Youth-California, Inc.
Anthony Gutierrez, the plaintiff in the case, filed the PAGA only complaint seeking civil penalties on behalf of himself and all current and former aggrieved employees of Options for Youth-California. Under PAGA, California workers are allowed to bring an action on behalf of themself or on behalf of others for PAGA penalties only.
The Defendant: Anthony Gutierrez v. Options for Youth-California, Inc.
According to the complaint, Options for Youth-California, Inc. is a California corporation offering students a personalized, flexible approach to their education.
What is a PAGA Action?
PAGA creates the opportunity for individuals to act on behalf of California state to enforce state labor laws through the legal system. Under PAGA, an employee can file a lawsuit as the proxy of the California State Labor Law Enforcement Agency. For all intents and purposes, a PAGA-only action is fundamentally a law enforcement action intended to protect the public and not intended to benefit any private party. Under PAGA actions, the plaintiff seeks not to recover damages or restitution, but to act as a “deputy” private attorney to enforce California State Labor Code.
Summary of the Case: Anthony Gutierrez v. Options for Youth-California, Inc.
According to the complaint, Options for Youth-California, Inc. allegedly failed to provide employees with legally required meal and rest breaks, which resulted in underpaying employees' wages. The company has multiple locations throughout the state of California. The employer allegedly failed to fully relieve employees for legally required thirty-minute meal breaks. The plaintiff also claims that employees were required (now and then) to work more than four (4) hours without being offered the legally required ten-minute rest period (as outlined by employment law). According to the California Supreme Court, off-duty rest periods are defined as the time during which employees are relieved from all their work-related tasks and responsibilities, and are also free from their employer’s control.
If you have questions about California employment law or if you need help filing a California employment law complaint or PAGA complaint, please get in touch with Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik DeBlouw LLP. Experienced employment law attorneys are ready to assist you in various law firm offices located in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Chicago.
