PAGA is the new wave of employment lawsuits that every employer in California must be prepared to face.  Below is a list of some of the items that every employer should review to ensure that they are in compliance with California's strict labor laws and regulations before getting sued for PAGA penalties.  Such lawsuits can result in huge losses which may cause employers who violate the law to go out of business.

___   (1)   Agreements that contain terms or conditions known to be prohibited by law

___   (2)   Time off and leave of absence statutes

___   (3)   Meal periods and meal period recording practices

___   (4)   Rest periods

___   (5)   Posters, such as California's whistleblower posting rule, Wage Orders, payday notices, and workers' compensation posters

___   (6)   Rules against forced patronage

___   (7)   Rules regarding paydays and payment of wages to employees who quit, are discharged, or are laid off

___   (8)   Itemized wage statements (aka paystubs)

___   (9)   Overtime pay

___   (10)   Exemptions

___   (11)   Direct deposit authorizations

___   (12)   Collective bargaining agreements and their treatment of wage-hour issues

___   (13)   Volunteer relationships

___   (14)   Independent contractor relationships

___   (15)   Record-keeping and timekeeping practices

___   (16)   Shift differentials and other wage differentials

___   (17)   Bonus and other incentive-pay programs

___   (18)   Sick leave policies

___   (19)   Vacation pay and paid time off ("PTO") policies

___   (20)   Reporting time pay practices

___   (21)   In-house registries

___   (22)   Joint employment practices

___   (23)   Use of separate pay checks for extra work

___   (24)   Make-up time practices

___   (25)   Use of back-to-back workweeks ("8-and-80 programs")

___   (26)   Mileage allowances

___   (27)   Uniform practices

___   (28)   Indemnification and reimbursement practices

___   (29)   Direct deposit programs

___   (30)   Electronic re cord-keeping policies

___   (31)   Practices  regarding  trainees  and  compensation  for employee meetings and training

___   (32)   Alternative workweek arrangements

___   (33)   Changing time practices

___   (34)   Compensable work time

___   (35)   Rounding practices