Q&A

Are there wage laws for mechanics in California?

Are there wage laws for mechanics in California?

California wage laws, mechanics, and tool usage. Every mechanic in California will tell you that their work is only as good as the tools used to perform it. A mechanic’s tools are so essential to their work that the State of California wage laws have special rules governing pay when the tools are not provided by the employer.

How does a mechanic get paid for a job?

Under the flat rate and flag rate systems, the customer is charged a certain number of assigned or “booked” hours per job, regardless of the actual time it takes a mechanic to perform the job. The mechanic is paid a set amount of money for each flagged hour completed.

How are mechanics paid on a flat rate system?

These dealers pay their mechanics on a flat rate system (also known as “flag” system). A flag rate is simply a pre-designated amount of time that a repair should normally take when performed under normal circumstances. To determine pay for any repair, the flag time is multiplied by a pay rate.

When does an auto mechanic not have to pay overtime?

The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act On Mechanics Section 7 (i) of the FLSA provides an exemption from the overtime pay requirement for any employee of a retail or service establishment if: 1. The regular rate of pay of such employee (i.e., his hourly rate) is in excess of one and one-half times the minimum wage, and 2.

Do you have to pay a mechanic more than minimum wage?

And if so how much more is the employer required to pay. Well, not exactly. If the mechanic must supply his/her own tools, the minimum you can pay them is double the state minimum wage. That does not automatically mean that you must pay them more than another person doing the same job with company issued tools, but why wouldn’t you?

These dealers pay their mechanics on a flat rate system (also known as “flag” system). A flag rate is simply a pre-designated amount of time that a repair should normally take when performed under normal circumstances. To determine pay for any repair, the flag time is multiplied by a pay rate.

Do you get paid for hours you booked as a mechanic?

When a mechanic is paid for the hours “booked” this does not take into account the actual hours the mechanic worked. This raises unpaid and overtime wage questions.

Do you get paid overtime if you are a mechanic?

In short, whether mechanics and technicians are entitled to overtime wages depends on (a) where they work (auto dealer or repair shop), (b) how they are paid (commission or not), (c) how much they make (regular hourly rate and commissions), and (d) the state in which they work.