When employers violate wage and hour laws or engage in systemic workplace discrimination, their misconduct rarely harms just one person. Often, hundreds—or even thousands—of employees are affected in the same way. At West Coast Employment Lawyers (WCEL), our class action employment lawyers help California employees unite and hold employers accountable through coordinated class action lawsuits.
Our attorneys have decades of experience fighting large corporations that exploit workers, commit wage theft, or violate the California Labor Code. Whether you’re missing unpaid wages, being denied rest breaks and meal breaks, or facing retaliation for speaking up, WCEL will pursue justice for you and every employee impacted by unlawful practices.
Why Choose WCEL as Your Class Action Employment Lawyers
Extensive Experience and Results
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling employment law cases against Fortune 500 companies, government contractors, and major California employers.
Dedicated Legal Representation
We treat every case as a chance to create lasting change in the workplace, fighting for fair treatment, accountability, and justice.
Contingency Fee Basis
You pay nothing unless we win. WCEL handles all litigation costs upfront so employees can pursue justice without financial risk.
Call (213) 927-3700 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule your free consultation with an experienced class action employment lawyer today.
What Is a Employment Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit allows a group of employees with similar workplace grievances to take collective legal action against their employer. Instead of filing hundreds of individual claims, one or several employees—called “class representatives”—file a single case on behalf of everyone affected.
Class actions are especially powerful in employment law when a company’s illegal actions are widespread but individually small. For example, a few minutes of unpaid overtime per day might not seem significant, but across hundreds of workers, the employer could owe millions.
When Can Employees File a Class Action Lawsuit?
Our employment lawyers help clients determine whether their situation meets the requirements for a class action employment case. Common scenarios include:
Wage and Hour Violations
One of the most common and impactful types of violations, when an employer fails to pay minimum wage, provide required overtime pay, or give compliant rest breaks and meal breaks, these are clear violations of both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the California Labor Code.
If an employer is showing a pattern of committing wage and hour violations, then employees may have the grounds to file a class action lawsuit against their employer and recover the stolen wages they deserve.
Depending on the nature and extent of the violation, workers in a class action lawsuit may recover damages for every affected employee in the company, including the ones who had no knowledge about the lawsuit or violation in question.
Unpaid Wages and Wage Theft
If your employer manipulates pay stubs, rounds down hours, or asks you to work “off the clock,” you may be entitled to compensation for unpaid wages and back pay. These wage violations can affect an entire workforce, making them ideal for class action treatment. Low-wage, labor-intensive industries with lots of hourly workers such as food service, construction, hospitality, trucking, and the janitorial industries often get hit hardest by wage theft.
Misclassification of Employees
Companies sometimes classify full-time workers as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits or overtime. This practice violates state and federal laws and can form the basis of a class action lawsuit, because despite the nature of free-flowing employment status for independent contractors, employers must still pay them accordingly without breaking any labor laws.
California’s ABC Test (Labor Code §2775) determines whether a worker is truly independent and should their duties become a part of the company’s regular business, they’re likely a non-exempt employee who are entitled to full wage protections.
Workplace Discrimination and Harassment
A company-wide pattern of workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, or retaliation against protected classes (such as gender, age discrimination, disability discrimination, or national origin) can justify a collective action under both California and federal law. While discriminatory behavior can be difficult to prove unless without clear and concise evidence, a variety of employee reviews and statements can prove a pattern and that can be served as a basis to start a class action lawsuit.
How a Class Action Benefits Employees
Filing a class action employment lawsuit levels the playing field between workers and powerful corporations. Benefits include:
- Efficiency: One trial can resolve hundreds of claims at once.
- Cost sharing: Legal fees and case expenses are shared across all plaintiffs.
- Consistency: Prevents employers from winning through contradictory defenses.
- Accountability: Forces systemic change rather than isolated payouts.
Most importantly, class actions protect workers who might otherwise fear retaliation or lack resources to file alone.
Key Laws That Protect California Employees
California has some of the strongest employment law protections in the country. These are the statutes most often cited in class action employment claims:
California Labor Code
The California Labor Code governs how employees must be paid, outlining rules for minimum wage, overtime, and lawful pay periods. Violations of these statutes frequently lead to class actions for wage and hour disputes.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
The Fair Labor Standards Act sets nationwide standards for minimum wage and overtime pay. When employers ignore these federal laws, workers can bring collective actions under the FLSA to recover unpaid wages.
Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
FEHA prohibits workplace discrimination based on protected categories like sexual orientation, national origin, age, and disability. It also protects workers from employer retaliation after reporting illegal conduct or harassment.
California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA)
Under PAGA, employees can file representative actions on behalf of the state for labor standards enforcement violations—essentially allowing private citizens to act as prosecutors for unlawful employment practices.
Common Types of Employment Class Actions
At WCEL, our experienced employment attorneys handle every kind of workplace class action, including:
- Wage and hour violations involving unpaid overtime or off-the-clock work
- Rest break and meal break denials
- Unlawful deductions from paychecks
- Failure to reimburse work expenses (e.g., mileage, phone use)
- Misclassification of employees as exempt or contractors
- Systemic workplace discrimination or sexual harassment
- Retaliatory termination after whistleblowing
- Violation of medical leave act protections or job protected leave
These cases often overlap, and our legal team investigates every potential claim to ensure California employees receive full compensation.
How to Know If You Have a Valid Claim
If multiple employees in your company have similar wage, discrimination, or retaliation complaints, you may have grounds for a class action lawsuit. Signs of a valid claim include:
- Uniform wage and hour policies that violate the California Labor Code
- Identical pay period irregularities or altered pay stubs
- Repeated denial of overtime pay to non-exempt employees
- Consistent reports of harassment or unlawful employment practices
- Patterns of retaliation or termination targeting a protected class
WCEL provides free consultations to review potential cases and advise whether class certification makes sense.
The Class Action Lawsuit Legal Process
Knowing the legal process helps employees make informed decisions before joining a case.
Step 1: Consultation and Case Review
Our skilled employment attorneys will evaluate the company’s actions, payroll records, and employee statements to determine if systemic violations exist.
Step 2: Filing the Complaint
Once evidence supports class treatment, our law firm files the class action complaint in state or federal court, depending on the scope of violations.
Step 3: Class Certification
The court must confirm that the affected workers share similar legal issues. If approved, the case moves forward on behalf of all employees.
Step 4: Discovery and Negotiation
We demand company records, emails, and employment contracts to prove employer violations of state and federal laws. Settlement discussions often occur here, but WCEL is always prepared for trial.
Step 5: Resolution or Trial
If the employer refuses fair settlement, we litigate aggressively to secure financial compensation, lost wages, and punitive damages for the entire class.
Contact Our Class Action Employment Lawyers Today
Class actions are not just about compensation; they are about protecting employees and reforming workplaces across California. If you believe your employer engaged in wage and hour violations, discrimination, or widespread unlawful employment practices, the time to act is now.
West Coast Employment Lawyers has built a reputation as one of the most respected employment law firms in Los Angeles and statewide. We hold employers accountable for systemic wrongdoing and give employees the power to pursue justice together.
Call (213) 927-3700 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule your free consultation with an experienced class action employment lawyer today.
Together, we’ll protect workers, pursue justice, and make California’s workplaces fairer for everyone.
Most Frequently Asked Questions About Class Action Lawsuits
How Long Does a Class Action Lawsuit Take?
Class action lawsuits can be resolved within a few months, but some may take many years. Most class action suits will take anywhere from 2 to 3 years to resolve. There is always the possibility that some companies will prefer to settle quickly. This is typically the case when businesses are worried about their reputations and are afraid of bad publicity.
What is The Difference Between a Class Action and PAGA Claim
While both protect workers, PAGA claims are filed on behalf of the state, whereas class actions are filed by employees themselves. WCEL’s attorneys often pursue both simultaneously to maximize recovery under California law.
How to Protect Your Rights Before You File
If you suspect unlawful conduct at work:
- Keep detailed records of hours worked, rest breaks, and pay periods
- Save emails, texts, or memos showing company-wide policies
- Document all complaints and employer retaliation
- Contact a class action employment lawyer before signing any severance pay agreement
These actions strengthen your claim and preserve crucial evidence.
How Does WCEL Builds Powerful Class Action Cases
At West Coast Employment Lawyers, we combine deep in-depth knowledge of employment statutes with advanced investigation tools. Our legal team works with economists, statisticians, and forensic accountants to expose patterns of misconduct.
We also collaborate with the California Department of Industrial Relations and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission when applicable to strengthen the case record and demonstrate repeated employer violations.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Class Action Lawsuit?
Employees who win a class action lawsuit may recover:
- Back pay and unpaid wages
- Future lost wages and benefits
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Punitive damages for willful misconduct
- Attorney fees and legal costs
In wage cases, courts may also award interest and penalties under the California Labor Code for each pay period violation.
What Are the Most Frequently Overlooked Class Action Violations
Many California workers don’t realize their employer’s conduct may be unlawful. Examples include:
- Automatic time rounding that always benefits the company
- Requiring workers to clock out for short breaks
- Forcing non-exempt employees to perform tasks before or after shifts
- Deducting uniform or equipment costs from paychecks
- Withholding overtime pay through “creative scheduling”
If these issues sound familiar, you’re likely not alone and you may qualify for a class action employment lawsuit.
How Should I Plan a Class Action Lawsuit?
Being involved in a class action lawsuit can be a lot to take in, which is why it is important to plan it out first before taking the initiative of filing one. Below, we have created a list of steps you should consider taking to determine if you should move forward with a class action lawsuit.
- The first step is to determine how many employees were affected by the company’s negligence.
- The second step is to research any history of the company facing similar class action lawsuits, and whether it was successful.
- The third step is to learn about the statute of limitations for the class action lawsuit you are planning on filing.
- The fourth step is to learn whether you qualify to file a claim individually or in a group.
Can I Opt Out of a Class Action Lawsuit?
Yes, you may opt out of a class action lawsuit. The court will send you a legal notice that contains a thorough explanation of how to get out of one. You can file an individual lawsuit if you still plan on taking legal action against your employer. If you choose to remain in the class action lawsuit, and it has settled in the plaintiff’s favor, the court will let you know how to claim compensation. It is likely that the defendant will cover your expenses, such as court costs and attorneys’ fees.
