PSA for California manufacturing workers 🏭
You know those few minutes before you clock in when you're setting up equipment? Or the cleanup after you clock out? That's compensable work time under California law.
The California Supreme Court said it clearly in Troester v. Starbucks: employers can't use the "it's just a few minutes" excuse anymore. Every. Minute. Counts.
This includes: • Pre-shift equipment warm-up • Post-shift cleaning • Putting on/taking off required safety gear • Mandatory meetings outside scheduled hours • Quick machine checks off the clock
If your employer knows you're doing this work (or should know), they must pay you. Period.
Keep personal logs of your actual work times. Take photos if possible. Get witness statements from coworkers. This documentation can help you recover unpaid wages.
California law is on your side.
