Guess which rapidly expanding nail salon in Los Angeles that celebs like Ali Larter and Lea Michele frequents is completely violating California labor laws?
Image source: nailsmag.com
An anonymous source recently spilled that despite being an non-exempt employee, she’s not given breaks as mandated by state law. On top of that, most workers are required to work additional hours without getting overtime pay!
California is especially strict on break and meals for hourly workers. Labor Code Section 512 specifically states:
That basically means that if you work more than 5 hours, you get a unpaid 30 minute break UNLESS you and your boss agrees to forgo it. The thing is, it must be YOUR choice. If for any reason you are prohibited to take any of these breaks, the employer is to pay you an additional hour for every break you miss. Even if you do take a lunch but have to return 29 minutes later instead of 30, the employer must pay you an hour’s worth of your wage.
On top of that you also get a 10 minute break for every 4 hours worked unless, again, if you choose not to take it.
This fancy yet affordable LA based salon that’s been getting a bunch of press from editors and bloggers alike is definitely not working within the law. I’m not about to name any names in particular, but I know I will not be visiting them ever again, attending their events, or even visiting their “manicure” which is really just polish change booth at any beauty events either. I’m so over this nail salon.
You must be thinking, “Why haven’t I heard about this or why hasn’t anyone complained yet?” Given that most of the nail techs are relatively new to the country and the cute blonde receptionists are mostly young and naive, it’s likely that they don’t even have the labor code poster displayed anywhere visible. Plus most young folks don’t quite understand labor laws right out of high school or even college. On top of that, many people are unwilling to make a stink about their jobs in fear of losing their only method of income.
Yes, the economy is tight, but you still have your rights as an employee! And YOU can choose NOT to go to this fancy yet affordable salon, too. Hint, this salon has been popping up left and right all over chic LA neighborhoods like Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Newport Beach, and Pasadena.
