Aryeh Leichter, attorney for Los Angeles residential apartment managers at the Leichter Law Firm, APC, knows these employees are entitled to various employment protections under state and federal laws.

Here are some key employment protections that California apartment managers have and how to enforce them when their employers are violating them.

Employment Protections that California Apartment Managers Have

California Wage & Hour Requirements Apply to All Residential Apartment Managers

Apartment managers in California are entitled to receive at least the state’s minimum wage for all hours worked. As of January 1, 2024, California’s minimum wage is $16 per hour for all employers. However, some cities and counties have higher minimum wages than the state’s rate. If the apartment manager works in a county where the rate is higher, their pay must be adjusted.

Apartment managers are entitled to overtime pay when working:

  • More than 8 hours in a single day.
  • More than 40 hours in a single week.
  • Working seven consecutive days during a single workweek.

In addition, California law mandates that employees, including apartment managers, are entitled to meal and rest breaks during their shifts. Employees are entitled to a 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked, and for shifts exceeding five hours, employees are entitled to a 30-minute meal break.

In addition, for owners wishing to credit the cost of the residential manager’s onsite apartment against the hourly rate, minimum wage salary otherwise earned by the manager for services rendered, the owner must obtain a properly drafted and executed employment agreement with the manager before making any such deductions to the manager’s salary.

Without a properly drafted and executed written employment agreement, the owner’s credit against the manager’s salary could be deemed unlawful and result in wage and hour violations.

California Anti-Discrimination Law Requirements Apply to All Residential Apartment Managers

Apartment managers are protected against discrimination and harassment based on the following protected characteristics:

  • Age (40 and over).
  • Ancestry, national origin.
  • Disability, mental and physical.
  • Gender identity, gender expression.
  • Genetic information.
  • Marital status.
  • Medical condition.
  • Military or veteran status.
  • Race, color.
  • Religion, creed.
  • Sex, gender, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions.
  • Sexual orientation.

California law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights, such as filing a complaint about workplace conditions, reporting discrimination, or participating in legal proceedings.

Additional California Protections Apply to All Residential Apartment Managers

Multiple other employment laws apply to residential apartment managers throughout California, including, but not limited to:

Under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), eligible employees, including apartment managers, can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons.

Like other employees, apartment managers are covered by California’s workers’ compensation laws. If an apartment manager is injured or becomes ill due to a work-related incident, they may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and lost wages.

Contact Our Employment Law Attorney for Help Today

If you are a California residential apartment manager and believe your employment rights are being violated in any capacity, contact Aryeh Leichter, the Leichter Law Firm, APC founder, and employment law attorney in Los Angeles County today to discuss the legal remedies that may be available for your unique workplace circumstances, starting with a free consultation by calling (818)-915-6624 or contacting the firm online.

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