“That Can’t Be Right!” California Appellate Court Rules that Piece Rate Workers Are Entitled to Separate Hourly Compensation

A California Court of Appeal dealt another blow to employers this month when it held automobile mechanics, who earned at least minimum wage for every hour worked, were entitled to separate hourly compensation for any time not spent performing auto repairs. See Gonzales v. Downtown LA Motors, LP, 2013 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 1728 (March 6, 2013). The attorneys for Downtown LA Motors (DTLA) argued it “can’t be right” to find that employers who guarantee their employees the minimum wage for every hour worked somehow failed to satisfy their minimum wage obligation. The appellate court disagreed, awarding the class in excess of $1.5M.