1. Labor Commissioner's Office

Opinion Letters: By Date

Letter No. Manual Section Description
2019.07.26   Application of AB 1066’s Overtime Phase-In to Sheepherders
2019.05.03

Requesting Letter		   Application of the ABC Test to Claims Arising Under Wage Orders
2016.10.11

Requesting Letter		   Calculating Payment of Paid Sick Leave – Exempt Non-Exempt Employees, Employees Paid by Commission
2016.03.23

Requesting Letter		   Quarterly Payout/pro rata Payment at termination
2015.08.07   Paid Sick Leave
2014.11.6

Requesting Letter		   Domestic Worker Bill of Rights and IWC Order 5
2013.11.15

Requesting Letter		   Meal Periods: On-duty drivers of hazardous & flammable materials
2010.04.07

Requesting Letter		   Educational Internship Program
2009.11.23

Requesting Letter		   Deductions: From Leave Credits for Partial and Full Day Absences of Exempt Employees
2009.08.19

Requesting Letter		   Salary Basis Test - Work Schedule and Salary Reduction to Avoid Layoff
2009.06.09

Requesting Letter 		  Meal Periods: Fuel Carriers Subject to Federal Safety Regulations
2009.03.23

Requesting Letter		   Alternative Workweek: During Summer Months
2009.02.04

Requesting Letter 		  Credit Available for Training Trust Payments
2008.11.25

Requesting Letter 		  Compensability: Time Spent Obtaining a Transportation Worker Identification Credential Card
2008.11.25-1

Requesting Letter 		  Wage Deduction: Authorization for Overpayments Due to Payroll Practice
2008.07.07

Requesting Letter 1
Requesting Letter 2 		  Payroll/Debit Cards - Means of Payment of Wages Labor Code §§ 212 and 213
2008.07.07-2

Requesting Letter		   Money Network Checks - Means of Payment of Wages under Labor Code § 212
2007.10.29   Exemption: Administrative (IT)
2007.08.29   Mandated Security Officer Training Time: Compensability
2006.07.06   Electronic Delivery of wage statements
2005.11.23   Personal Attendant definition: Scope of Duties - IWC Order 15
2005.09.08   Tip pooling policy: lawfulness of mandatory policy and criteria for participation in mandatory policy
2003.10.17   Private right of action to enforce amounts owed under the meal period provisions of the IWC Orders and under the Labor Code
2003.05.23   Exemption: Determination of exempt or nonexempt status of officers and "key administrative personnel" employed by labor unions
2003.05.21
   Labor Code § 233: Sick leave to attend to family
2003.04.30   Commissions: Post termination
2003.04.23   Resident Employees - IWC Order 5-2001 (as updated)
2003.04.22   Travel time pay for employee with alternative worksites
2003.02.25   Child labor: Entertainment Industry - Reality Television
2003.02.24   Deductions: From employee's wages for damage to company property
2003.02.03   Farm labor contractor license requirements
2003.01.30   Labor Code § 2928: Wage deductions for tardiness; apparent contradiction between code sections
2003.01.29   Wages, regular rate of pay: Calculation where employer wishes to provide additional compensation to employee to "make them whole" when employee is "called off" scheduled work because of drop in workload
2003.01.28   Waiting time penalty: Calculation

Vacation pay: Calculation
2003.01.21   Vacation pay: Change in plan
2003.01.17   Exemption: Teachers
2003.01.15   Wages: Payment based on employer's receipt of payment for services rendered
Exempt status: Professionals
2003.01.13   Exemption: Site surveillance technicians
2003.01.10   IWC coverage: Employees of temporary employment agency placed with public employers
2002.12.13   Overtime: Limousine drivers
2002.12.12   Payroll payment by cash dispensing machine
2002.12.11   Hours worked: Split shift
2002.12.09   Wage requirements for camp counselors
2002.12.09-1   Meal periods: Impact of Senate Bill 1208 on an existing collective bargaining agreement
2002.12.09-2   Commission payments
2002.09.04   Meal periods: "On duty"
2002.08.12   Negative election to participate in 401(k) plans
2002.06.24   Labor Code § 233: Sick leave to attend to family
2002.06.18 55.2.1.1; 55.2.1.2; 55.2.1.2.1 Employer: Definition of employer
2002.06.14-1   Overtime: Commission pay plans
2002.06.13   Salesperson exemption (Orders 4 and 7)
2002.06.13-1   Tardiness
2002.06.13-2   Commission calculations
2002.06.12   Coverage of California's wage laws
2002.05.22 56.11; 56.11.1 Alternative workweek: Reduction of pay not allowed
2002.05.17 41.2.1 Semimonthly pay periods for nonexempt salaried employees (Labor Code § 226)
2002.05.06 51.6.1 Wages: Salary requirement, disciplinary deductions from exempt's salary
2002.05.01 51.6.10 Exempt employee: Calculation of pro rata deduction from salary
2002.04.08 51.6.12; 51.6.15 Exempt employee: No reduction in salary for day absent if there is a reasonable expectation that employee is to perform some duty
2002.03.12 51.6.7 Exempt employee: Reduction of salary in conjunction with reduction of hours in workday or days in workweek
2002.03.01 51.6.6; 51.6.21.1 Wages: Salary basis test exempt employees
2002.02.22 45.3.3 Rest period requirements
2002.02.21 46.3; 46.3.1; 46.3.2; 47.5.1.1 Hours worked: time spent traveling on out-of-town business trip
2002.01.29 43.6.4.1; 44.2.2; 47.4.2; 47.7.1 Hours worked: Public transit employees start and end shifts at different locations Minimum wage
2002.01.28   Rest period provisions
2002.01.22 22.1.1 Illegal to require payment to apply for employment (Labor Code § 450)
2001.12.03   IWC coverage: Log truck drivers (Order 16)
2001.09.17 45.3.5; 45.3.6.1 Rest periods: Order 16 (on-site construction) Rest periods: CBA exception
2001.06.22   Tips: Dancers (Orders 5 and 10)
2001.04.25   Minimum wage: California State University employees
2001.04.09   Overtime: Saturday and Sunday work: Public Works employment contracting
2001.03.22   Stand-by time
2001.02.04   Truck Driver/Transportation Industry
2001.01.12   Hours worked: Meal periods restricted to employer's premises
2000.11.03   Compensation: Ski industry employees
2000.11.02 19.3.5 Service charge not gratuity
2000.11.02-1   Farm labor contractor status
2000.09.29 48.1.6 Belo contracts
2000.08.01   Deductions: Debiting a manager's pay for staff salary and expenses
2000.05.17   Employment status: Culinary externs
2000.05.17-1   Independent contractors vs. employee, registered nurses with a nursing registry
2000.01.19   Overtime: No pyramiding of hours
1999.09.23 3.5 Contract: What constitutes a written contract "for a definite period of time" within the meaning of Labor Code § 202 in determining the applicability of the waiting time penalty under Labor Code § 203
1999.09.22-1   Deductions: Overpayment of wages
1999.07.26   Exemption: Administrative, recruiters of temporary workers
1999.05.17   Third party beneficiary claims
1999.02.16 45.3.1 Rest Periods
1999.01.09 4.6; 34.9 Discharge: Payment of commissions upon termination
1998.12.28 45.1.5.1; 46.6.3; 47.5.5.1 Hours worked: "On-call time," resident apartment managers
1998.12.28-1 19.3.1 Tip pooling
1998.12.23 46.6.4 Hours worked: Uniforms, change time Hours worked: Effect of CBA on determining "hours worked"
1998.11.12   Employment status: Interns
1998.11.12-1   Hours worked: Training time
1998.11.10   Electronic paychecks and direct deposit (Labor Code §§ 226 and 1174)
1998.11.09   Hours worked: Sleep shifts (Order 5)
1998.11.05   Expenses: Reimbursement, purchase of excess auto insurance (Labor Code § 2802)
1998.11.04   Overtime: Airport shuttle drivers
1998.10.05 52.3 Exemption: Administrative (insurance company claims reps)
1998.09.18   Deductions: Negative election to participate in 401(k) plans (Labor Code §§ 221-224)
1998.09.17 15.1.4 Vacation: "Use it or lose it" clause Discharge: Pay vacation at termination
1998.09.15   Child labor: Prohibited construction work (Labor Code §1294.1)
1998.09.14 9.1.2.1 Wages: Bonus paid in kind Labor Code § 212)
1998.09.14-1   IWC coverage: Agricultural occupations, Order 14 vs. 13 (packaging facility located on grower's farm)
1998.09.11   Hours worked: Charging applicants for training
1998.09.11-1   Work recesses: IWC Order 8-80, Section 3(E)
1998.09.08   Exemption: Outside salesperson, real estate
1998.08.27 42.6 Personnel files: Obligations of employer to provide employees access
1998.08.12   Piece rate calculation
1998.07.31   Deductions: Payroll (Labor Code § 224)
1998.07.29   IWC classification: Private clubs (Orders 5 and 10)
1998.07.15   Workers' compensation insurance coverage: Requirement for relatives
1998.05.29   Hours worked: Sleep periods for ambulance drivers and attendants (Orders 5 and 9-98)
1998.01.12   Similarly situated employees
1997.12.24   IWC coverage: Employees of temporary employment agencies
1997.12.04 37.2.6 Public Works: partner coverage
1997.12.03   IWC classification: Golf courses with restaurants
1997.12.03-2   Overtime: Fluctuating workweek
1997.10.21   Payroll direct deposit: ATM access
1997.10.21-1   Personal attendants vs. practical nurses, intrusive care
1997.10.01   Vacation pay as "wages"
1997.09.03   Exemption: Executive, remuneration test
1997.08.25   Reporting time pay: Poor performance
1997.07.22   Workers' compensation insurance: Out-of-state employers
1997.07.22-1   IWC coverage: Order 5 overlap with occupational orders
1997.07.15   Waiting time penalty: Collective bargaining agreements
1997.05.27 50.13.1 Independent contractors: "Promotional extras"
1997.05.16 50.8.1.1; 50.9.3 Overtime exemption: "For hire" motor trucks
1997.04.28   Exemption: Executive, remuneration test
1997.03.21-2 22.3, 29.2.3.1 Expenses: Reimbursement by direct deposit may not be compelled
1997.03.10   Exemption: Professional, physician assistants and nurse practitioners
1997.03.05 54.10.7.1 Exemption: Teachers
1997.03.04   IWC coverage: Cut flower industry (Order 14)
1997.02.21-2 22.3 Credit card requirement by employer where no cost to employee
1997.01.02 22.3 Patronizing employer: Employer cannot require employee to purchase truck for use in business (Labor Code § 450)
1996.12.30 46.6.6 Exemption: Trainee intern programs
1996.11.20 4.6.2 Waiting time penalty: "Willfulness" (inability to pay)
1996.11.12 9.1.9 Payday obligations: Direct deposit
1996.07.26   Deductions from final wages-Negligence
(See LC 201.3 for timing of final wages to temporary agency employees)
1996.07.12   Hours worked: Meal periods (employee required to remain on premises
1996.07.10 50.8.1.1 Overtime: Provisions of IWC wage order. for two-axle trucks not regulated by Department of Transporation
1996.05.30 3.2.2 Discharge: Layoff (contractual recall rights)
1996.02.21   IWC coverage: Trucking company support personnel
1995.11.01   Hours worked: Meal periods (healthcare industry)
1995.07.20 41.2.3 Paperless time recording system
1995.06.02   Rest periods
1995.04.19   Jurisdiction: Multiplicity of actions
1994.11.17 29.2.3.4 Training: Cost of licensure training not usually payable by employer
1994.10.03 43.7.1.3 IWC coverage: Multi-purpose firm with distinctly separate units
1994.10.03-2 55.3.3 Personal attendant: "Other significant work"
1994.09.28   Meal Periods: Purported waiver of state standards
1994.09.26   IWC coverage: Multi-purpose firm with distinctly separate units
1994.08.14 29.2.3.1 Expenses: Reimbursement (Labor Code § 2802)
1994.08.09   Garment manufacturing: Out-of-state supplier contracting in California
1994.08.04 43.6.1 Jurisdiction: Military bases; Temporary/Full Time Employees in oil spill cleanup; Employees temporarily employed in another state
1994.07.14   Outside salesperson
1994.06.21 31.3.2.1 Employment applications: Release of liability for disclosure of information
1994.06.17-1 49.2.1.2 Wages, regular rate of pay
1994.06.17-2   Overtime exemption: Commissions ("principally")
1994.04.11   Independent contractor vs. employee: Assistant golf professional
1994.03.25   Overtime: Combining covered and uncovered hours
1994.03.08 15.1.10 Vacation: Cash out at lesser rates prohibited
1994.03.03 Exempt status: Additional compensation
1994.02.16 46.2 Hours worked: On-call time (tests, travel, and training)
1994.02.16-1 45.5.2 Uniforms: Requirement, clothing without metal
1994.02.07 50.6; 50.6.4.3 Overtime exemption: Commissioned sales (use of draw in computing)
1994.02.03-1 9.1.9; 9.1.9.3; 41.2.3 Payday obligations: Direct deposit
1994.02.03-2   Exemption: Personal attendant (Order 15)
1994.02.03-3 46.6.4; 48.1.9.1 Hours worked: Uniforms, change time
1994.02.03-4 50.9.8 Overtime exemption: Ambulance drivers and attendants
1994.01.27 11.2.4; 11.3.1 Deductions: Cost of processing lost or stolen check
1994.01.07 19.3.5 Overtime: Banquet service charges as bonus Bonus: Banquet service charges, overtime
1994.01.06   Exemption: Executive, "customarily and regularly"
1993.12.09 48.1.2 Hours worked: Workday Overtime: Pyramiding
1993.11.29   Hours worked: Training or tryout time
1993.11.03 43.7.1.3 IWC coverage: Printing (Order 1) IWC coverage: Newspaper publishing (Order 4)
1993.10.21   Student Trainee vs. employee; work permit requirement
1993.09.07 43.6.8 Trainees: Criteria utilized for true trainee situation vs. employee
1993.08.18 15.1.4 Vacation: Earnings cap (reasonableness)
1993.07.06   Exemption: Executive, Applicability of Federal caselaw
1993.05.04 3.2.2 Discharge: Layoff vs. shutdown
1993.05.04-2 24.3 Labor Code § 973: Advertising for employees during a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute
1993.04.19-3   Garment manufacturing license: Temporary employment agencies
1993.04.19 5.2.4 Pay day obligations (Labor Code § 204)
1993.04.19-1 11.3.2 Deductions: Unauthorized Deductions: IWC Orders, Section 8 Deductions: Gross negligence, simple negligence Posting of bond: Employer protection against loss of goods
1993.03.31 46.1.1; 47.4.2; 47.5.6.1 Hours worked: On-call time, beepers Compensation: "Control of the employer" test for compensation due to employee
1993.03.08 34.3.1; 34.8 Commissions: Effect of termination
1993.02.22 11.3.1; 29.2.3.1; 34.4.1; 49.2.1.2 Commissions: Loss reconciliation Commissions: Mortgage loan officer commissions
1993.02.22-1 49.2.1.2 Wages, regular rate of pay: Piece rate, calculation
1993.02.22-2 11.2.4; 22.3 Deductions: IWC Orders, Section 9
1993.02.22-3 29.2.3.1; 22.3 Expenses: Reimbursement for cost of insurance required by employer are recoverable (Labor Code § 2802)
1993.02.02 43.6.11 IWC coverage: Air charter service (Order 9)
1993.01.19 35.2 Bonus: Effect of voluntary termination
1993.01.19-2 22.3 Employer must pay for mandated safety training
1993.01.07   Exemptions: Salary basis test for administrative, executive, and professional employees
1993.01.07-1 43.6.8 Employees: Vocational trainees (students) Minimum wage: Trainees, application, exemption
1992.12.18   Payday obligations: Direct deposit
1992.11.05   Workers' compensation insurance coverage: Employee leasing company
1992.10.02   Overtime: Extended care facilities (14/80 rule)
1992.05.14 47.5.1.1 Overtime: Regular rate of pay, multiple rates
1992.04.27 15.1.12 Discharge: Pay at termination for holiday
1992.04.27-1   Wages, regular rate of pay: Calculation for employee working at two different hourly rates Overtime
1992.03.03   Vacation: Bonus days
1992.02.28   Alternative workweek: Identifiable work unit
1992.01.30   Reporting time pay: Absent a specific agreement, eight hours of labor constitutes a day's work
1992.01.29   Wages, regular rate of pay: Explicit agreement
1992.01.28 47.5.6.1 Hours worked: Pagers; Meal Period "On Duty"
1992.01.21   Alternative workweek: Healthcare registry workers (Order 5)
1991.11.01-3   Hours worked: Overtime, truck drivers adding covered to uncovered hours
1991.11.01-4   Overtime: 24-hour employees
1991.10.07   Alternative workweek: Work beyond regular schedule
1991.08.30 29.2.3.1 Owner/operator lease agreements: Costs of operating truck Compensable time
1991.06.19 56.7.3.1 Alternative workweek: 9/80 schedule
1991.06.03   Meal Periods - Obligation to provide
1991.05.16   Vacation: Recovery of unearned vacation, prospective policy amendment
1991.05.07 11.3.1; 34.2 Deductions: Discussion of underlying law
1991.04.24   Personal attendant: Nonprofit corporation respite care workers, IWC Order 5
1991.04.19   Joint employment Alternative workweek: Temporary placement in multiple settings
1991.04.02 50.7.1.3 Overtime: Collective bargaining agreements
1991.03.31   Alternative workweek: "Affected employees"
1991.03.06 35.7 Wages, regular rate of pay: Bonuses included in overtime calculation
1991.02.25-1   Employee expenses: Automobile insurance requirement (Labor Code § 2802)
1991.02.13 45.5.3 Uniforms: Requirements
1991.01.07 15.1.4; 15.1.4.1 Vacation: Earnings cap
1991.01.07-1 48.1.4; 48.1.6 Overtime: "Belo" contracts; premium pay
1991.01.04   Overtime: "Belo" contracts
1990.10.01 34.4; 34.4.1; Commissions: Reserve accounts; loss reconciliation
1990.09.24 15.1.3 Vacation: "Paid time off"
1990.09.18 45.5.6 Uniforms: Tropical shirts
1990.07.23   Overtime computation: Piece rate IWC coverage: Maintenance (Order 5)
1990.07.06   Alternative workweek: Part-time employees
1989.12.07   Hours worked: Travel time
1989.06.09   IWC coverage: Cut flower industry (Order 14)
1989.04.21   IWC coverage: Cut flower industry (Order 14)
1989.03.08   Reporting time pay
1988.10.27 43.6.5; 43.6.7 Volunteers: Definition of volunteer vs. employee Minimum Wage: No exemption for employees of religious organizations
1988.08.29   Commissions: Nursing procedures
1988.08.04 15.1.4; 15.1.5 Vacation: Probationary periods, accrual and acceleration
1988.07.25 Vacation: Earnings cap
1988.07.14 49.2.1.2 Bonus: Payment on monthly basis (Labor Code § 204)
1988.06.15 49.2.1.2 Wages: Hourly rate plus commissions
1988.06.13   Deductions: Authorization
1988.06.02   Wages, regular rate of pay: Basic wage plus commission Overtime: Wage plus commission
1988.05.16 46.6.4 Hours worked: Uniforms, change time
1988.05.16-2   Day of rest
1988.05.05 5.2.4 Wages: Pay day obligations (Labor Code § 204)
1988.05.04   Commissions: Loss reconciliation Commission vs. piece rate
1988.03.28 49.2.1.2 Wages: Calculation salary plus commissions
1988.03.21   Alternative workweek: Substitute employees
1988.03.21-2   Overtime: Excessive, day of rest
1988.01.05   Hours worked: Unrelieved meal periods
1987.10.06 15.1.14 Vacation: Sabbatical leave (See also, O.L. 1987.07.13-1)
1987.09.08 43.6.11 Vacation: Federal Service Contract Act (See also O.L. 1987.06.13)
1987.08.27   Overtime: Federal Service Contract Act
1987.07.13 15.1.10 Vacation: Longevity bonuses by temporary service agencies in lieu of vacation
1987.07.13-1 15.1.13 Vacation: Sabbatical leave (See also, O.L. 1987.10.06)
1987.07.01   Bonus: Substantial performance, recovery from wages
1987.06.13 43.6.11 Vacation: Federal Service Contract Act (See also O.L. 1987.09.08)
1987.06.03 35.5 Bonus: Substantial performance rule
1987.05.14 15.1.2 Vacation: When not paid, employees allowed unpaid time off
1987.05.11 15.1.10 Vacation: Pro rata pay case-by-case basis
1987.03.16 15.1.5 Vacation: Based on proportionate accrual and no forfeiture
1987.03.11 15.1.12.1 Vacation: Sick leave used for personal business
1987.03.03 34.2 Pay: Minimum wage, draw offsets
1987.02.17 49.2.1.2 Wages: Value of prizes calculated in overtime
1987.01.14-1 15.1.12 Vacation: Personal days off
1987.01.07   Electric payroll deposit
1986.12.30 15.1.4; 15.1.5 Vacation: Accrual rate may not decelerate during employment
1986.12.24   Vacation: Cafeteria style plans
1986.12.23 5.2.4 Bonus: Payday obligations, quarterly bonus
1986.12.13 15.1.13 Vacation: Sabbatical leave
1986.12.01 48.1.3 Hours worked: Workweek
1986.11.17 15.1.10 Vacation: Calculation on draw, percentages of commissions
1986.11.04 15.1.4; 15.1.12 Hours worked: Vacation, flex time off
1986.10.28 15.1.4; 15.1.12 Termination pay: Unearned vacation time advanced to employee deducted at time of termination Differentiation between sick leave and vacation pay
1986.09.15 4.3.1 Termination pay: Obligation to return in case of quit
1986.07.31   Jurisdiction: NRLA preemption
1986.05.20 15.1.10 Vacation: Car allowance
1986.01.03 45.3.3 Rest breaks
1985.02.14   Jurisdiction: National Forests
1983.11.25 34.1 Overtime: Mechanics, flat rate

July 2019