Know your rights
California labor law, in plain English.
NET-NOW exists because crew shouldn't have to chase money they've earned. Whether or not you ever use us, you have rights under California and federal law. Here's the short version — and where to go for real help.
⚠ Not legal advice
This page is general information, current to our best knowledge and simplified for readability. It is not legal advice and not a substitute for a licensed attorney or the California Labor Commissioner's Office. Laws change and every situation is different — always confirm with an official source or a lawyer before acting.
Getting paid on time (employees)
If you're classified as an employee, California sets hard deadlines for your final wages:
- Fired or laid off? All your wages are due immediately, on your last day.
- Quit with 72+ hours' notice? Paid on your last day. Quit without notice? Within 72 hours.
- If the employer is late, a waiting-time penalty can add up to your daily wage for each day late, up to 30 days.
The law
California Labor Code §§ 201–203. The 30-day penalty under §203 can be reduced if there was a genuine, good-faith dispute about whether the wages were owed.
Freelancers & contractors
Most film crew work gig-to-gig as independent contractors. California's Freelance Worker Protection Act (in effect since January 1, 2025) gives freelancers real teeth on getting paid:
- For work worth $250 or more, you're entitled to a written contract listing the services, the rate, and when you'll be paid.
- You must be paid by the date in the contract — or within 30 days of finishing the work if no date was set.
- Once you've started, no one can demand you accept less than agreed as a condition of getting paid on time.
What you can recover
Up to twice the amount left unpaid, a $1,000 penalty if they refused a written contract you asked for, plus attorney's fees and costs. Retaliation for asserting these rights is illegal.
Standards & practices
A few baseline protections worth knowing if you're treated as an employee:
Minimum wage
California's statewide minimum adjusts every year — some cities are higher. Check the current rate.
Meal & rest breaks
Generally a 30-min meal break past 5 hours, and a paid 10-min rest per 4 hours worked.
Classification
The "ABC test" decides employee vs. contractor. Misclassification is common in production.
Your right to a lawyer
You can hire your own legal representation for any wage or labor dispute — and you don't have to face it alone or pay big retainers up front:
- Many employment lawyers take wage cases on contingency (they're paid only if you win) — and several laws make the employer cover your attorney's fees.
- You can also file with the Labor Commissioner without a lawyer — it's built to be used directly by workers.
- Can't afford private counsel? Legal aid organizations help workers for free or low cost.
Filing a complaint
If you're owed wages, you can file a wage claim with the California Labor Commissioner's Office (the DLSE). It's free.
- 1
Gather what you have — pay stubs, contracts, texts, call sheets, dates, and amounts owed.
- 2
File a claim with the DLSE office nearest where you worked (or in that county).
- 3
The office reviews it and may hold a settlement conference or hearing to decide what you're owed.
Where to start
The Labor Commissioner's Office handles wage claims statewide. Start here:
Reminder: this is general information, not legal advice, and NET-NOW is not a law firm. For your specific situation, talk to the Labor Commissioner's Office or a licensed California attorney.