The 7 day rule in California is a Day of Rest Law.
The 7 day rule or Day of Rest Law in California is a law that requires employers to provide at least one full day of rest in every 7 day workweek, (Labor Code §551, §552).
Violations of the 7 day rule or Day of Rest law in California can lead to misdemeanor charges for employers.
The 7 day rule in California also triggers specific overtime pay requirements.
For example if an employee works 7 consecutive days, the first 8 hours on the 7th day are paid at 1.4x their regular rate, and any hours beyond the 8 hours on that day are then paid at double time or 2x.
The key aspects of the 7 day rule or Day of Rest law in California are entitlement, employer obligation and employer neutrality.
Employers must inform their employees of this right and remain neutral and not encourage their employees or penalize their employees for taking the day off.
Employers also cannot cause or require their employees to work more than 6 days in a row.
And employees also have the right to one day of rest in every 7 day workweek.
For the 7th day overtime pay.
First 8 hours are 1.5 times, "time and a half" the regular rate.
Hours after 8 are 2 times "double time" the regular rate.
The workweek definition is, A workweek is a fixed, recurring period of 7 consecutive 24 hour days.
The exceptions and nuances to the 7 day Rule or Day of Rest Law in California are Certain industries and Roles and Voluntary Work.
Some exceptions for the 7 day rule or Day of Rest law exist like for live in employees, personal attendants or in emergencies that protect life or property, but complex rules also apply.
And an employee can choose to work a 7th day, but the employer must ensure they are aware of their right to a day off and pay them the proper over time.
The California 7 day rule protects workers by mandating rest and imposing higher pay for excessive consecutive workdays, which also ensures fair compensation for working through the required day off.