On a public work, a contractor lets three laborers work 10 hours a day for four days and pays straight time throughout. Under Labor Code §1813, what does the contractor forfeit, over and above the overtime it still owes?
Explanation
Section 1813 forfeits $25 for EACH WORKER for EACH CALENDAR DAY on which that worker is required or permitted to work more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week without the overtime pay §1815 requires. Three workers across four days is twelve worker-days, and twelve times $25 is $300. The forfeiture is counted per worker per day, not per day and not per overtime hour, and it is separate from the wages still owed. The $200 figure is the ceiling in §1775 for underpaying the prevailing wage, which is a different violation.
Law Reference: Labor Code §1813; §1775(a)(1)This topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
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