California Lawmakers Weigh New Option for Late-Wage Lawsuits

California workers who aren’t paid on time would have a new option to get their wages and additional penalties from their employers under legislation advancing in the state Senate.

The measure (SB 310) would give workers the right to file a lawsuit against their employer for late wages, rather than file a complaint with California’s labor commissioner or take action under the Private Attorneys’ General Act, the 2004 law that allows them to file suit against their workplace for violating state labor codes.

Worker-rights advocates argue the additional option of filing an independent civil action is necessary because ...