Meal and Rest Breaks

California: Missed Rest or Meal Break Pay Required Accurately and Promptly

The California Supreme Court recently decided in the case of Naranjo v. Spectrum Security Services, Inc., that the penalty pay that must be provided to employees who work through their rest period or meal break is considered wages because it is designed to compensate the employee for the work performed during what otherwise would have been break or mealtime.  Accordingly, these amounts must be paid and reported the same as other wages earned during the pay period.