CA Governor Signs Two Wage-Hour Bills

Governor Jerry Brown signed a couple of wage-hour laws, which will take effect 1/1/15.  Neither is earth-shattering, but affected employers take note:

AB 2074, text here, clarifies California law regarding the statute of limitations for "liquidated damages," available for unpaid minimum wage claims.  The statute amends Labor Code section 1194.2 (here) to say that the statute of limitations for liquidated damages will be the same as the statute of limitations applicable to the underlying wage claim.  I'm not sure, but it may be that employers argued the statute of limitations is only 1 year because liquidated damages are a form of penalty.

AB 2743, text here, expands the availability of "waiting time penalties."  Per Labor Code section 203 (here), employers face a penalty of up to 30 days' pay when they do not pay employees correctly and timely at termination of employment.  Section 201.9 of the Labor Code allowed employers in the "live theatrical or concert" industry to pay final wages in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement. AB 2743 expands the availability of waiting time penalties to situations when the employer does not pay on time under that CBA.  So, employers not in the "live theatrical or concert" business:  Nothing to see here.