The California Supreme Court recently ruled that employers in California cannot keep their workers "on call" during short (10 minute) rest breaks and must give up any control over how they spend that time. The ruling came down in a lawsuit brought by security guards for ABM Security Services Inc.
The high court said the Company's policy of requiring the guards to keep their radios and pagers on and respond to calls during their rest periods violates state law.
If you or others you know are aware of a similar violation, contact Palay Hefelfinger with any questions. Penalties may include an additional hour of pay for the violation of the rest break obligations contained in California's Wage Orders.
Here is a link to the court opinion: