California Top Court Snaps Pro-Worker Ruling Streak in Wage Case

The California Supreme Court departed from a string of pro-worker rulings Monday when it sided with employers wielding a good faith defense against wage statement claims.

The Monday ruling found that employers who reasonably and in good faith think pay stubs they issue are complete and accurate don’t need to pay penalties that would otherwise accompany a “knowing and intentional” failure to follow wage statement law. It settles an area of law that has long divided state and federal courts, some of which held lower standards to trigger employer penalties for inaccurate and incomplete pay stubs.

The deviation by the ...