San Francisco is one of the cities with the strongest worker protections in the United States. As a worker in San Francisco—whether in a Mission District restaurant, a SOMA tech company, a Union Square hotel, or any other job—you have rights guaranteed by law, and Liberation Law Group defends them.
My name is Arlo Uriarte, an employment lawyer at Liberation Law Group. Our office is at 2760 Mission Street, 2nd Floor—in the heart of the Mission District. Call 1-888-442-2642 or request your free consultation here. 24/7 in English and Spanish.
The Basic Employment Rights of Every Worker in San Francisco
San Francisco minimum wage: The city updates its minimum wage every year—by 2026 it’s higher than the state minimum. No employer can pay you less. Learn about the minimum wage in California.
Overtime: More than 8 hours in a day or 40 in a week is paid at 1.5x. More than 12 hours in a day is paid at double time. No exceptions. Learn how to claim unpaid overtime.
Rest breaks: 10 minutes for every 4 hours worked, and a 30-minute meal break if you work more than 5 hours. If you’re denied these breaks, you’re owed one additional hour of pay for each violation. Read your wage and hour rights.
Protection against discrimination: Based on race, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and language. Workplace discrimination in San Francisco is illegal under FEHA.
Protection against sexual harassment: Including hostile work environment and quid pro quo. Since 2022, arbitration agreements can’t block these cases. Read about sexual harassment at work.
Protection against retaliation: If you exercise any workplace right, your employer can’t take negative action against you. Read about workplace retaliation in California.
Additional San Francisco rights: The Fair Workweek Ordinance (advance notice of schedules), additional paid sick days, and protections based on source of income and former conviction status.
Did your employer in San Francisco violate any of these rights?
Attorney Arlo Uriarte can review them today—free, in Spanish. 1-888-442-2642 — free consultation here — 24/7.
If Your Employer Violates Your Rights—What You Can Do
You have several legal options: file a claim with the California Labor Commissioner in San Francisco, file a discrimination complaint with the Civil Rights Department (CRD), file a civil lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court at 400 McAllister Street, or start a PAGA action if multiple employees were affected.
In practice, the right strategy depends on the type of violation, how long it lasted, and how many workers were affected. Liberation Law Group can evaluate which path maximizes your compensation. Learn about the California Labor Commissioner process.
We also help workers across the Bay Area: Oakland, San Jose, San Mateo County, Sonoma County, and more.
Ready to stand up for your rights in San Francisco?
Call 1-888-442-2642 to speak with attorney Arlo Uriarte. Free evaluation in Spanish — no obligation — no fee unless we win — 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions — Employment Rights in San Francisco
What special rights does San Francisco have that the rest of California doesn’t?
San Francisco has: a city minimum wage higher than the state minimum, the Fair Workweek Ordinance requiring advance notice of schedules in restaurants and retail, more paid sick days than the state minimum, protections based on source of income and former conviction status under local ordinances, and an active Human Rights Commission. San Francisco Superior Court at 400 McAllister Street and the local Labor Commissioner also have jurisdiction over city employers. Call 1-888-442-2642.
How is San Francisco’s minimum wage different?
San Francisco updates its minimum wage every year—it usually exceeds California’s state minimum, which is already one of the highest in the country. All employers operating in San Francisco must pay the city’s minimum wage—not the state’s—if the city’s is higher. If you’re paid the state minimum when San Francisco’s is higher, your employer owes you the difference retroactively for up to 4 years. Call 1-888-442-2642.
What is San Francisco’s Fair Workweek Ordinance?
The Fair Workweek Ordinance requires retail and restaurant employers in San Francisco to: provide schedules at least 2 weeks in advance, offer additional hours to existing employees before hiring new ones, and pay a “predictability pay” premium if they change the schedule with less than 24 hours’ notice. There are also rules about the minimum number of guaranteed hours. If your employer doesn’t follow these rules, you have an additional claim. Call 1-888-442-2642.
What do I do if my employer in SF doesn’t pay me the correct minimum wage?
First, document how much you’re being paid and how many hours you work. Second, calculate the difference between what you’re paid and San Francisco’s minimum wage. Third, call Liberation Law Group at 1-888-442-2642 to evaluate your case. You can claim up to 4 years of wage differences, plus penalties and interest. In many cases, the employer also has to pay the worker’s attorney’s fees. The consultation is completely free.
Do gig economy workers have rights in San Francisco?
Yes—and this is an area of law that’s constantly evolving. Under California’s AB 5, many workers classified as “independent contractors” by gig economy companies are actually employees with all the corresponding rights. Proposition 22 created some specific exceptions for certain rideshare and delivery platforms, but it didn’t eliminate all rights. If you work for a delivery, rideshare, or services app and believe you should be classified as an employee, call 1-888-442-2642.
How long do I have to enforce my rights in San Francisco?
For wage theft: 3 years under the Labor Code (4 under the UCL). For discrimination and harassment under FEHA: 3 years. For PAGA actions: 1 year. These deadlines apply the same way in San Francisco. Act quickly—each month that passes is a lost claim period. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Is Liberation Law Group close to my job in San Francisco?
Probably. Our office is at 2760 Mission Street, 2nd Floor, in the Mission District—accessible by MUNI and just a few blocks from BART’s 24th Street station. We help workers from every neighborhood: Mission, SOMA, Financial District, Chinatown, North Beach, Pacific Heights, Excelsior, Sunset, Richmond, and more. We also do consultations by phone and video. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Does Liberation Law Group help workers who don’t speak English?
Yes—and it’s one of the main reasons we exist. Attorney Arlo Uriarte and our entire team are fully bilingual in Spanish and English. When you work with us, the whole process can be done entirely in Spanish—from the initial consultation to negotiation or trial. You don’t need translators or intermediaries. Call 1-888-442-2642.
Your Rights in San Francisco Are Real—Stand Up for Them Today
Call 1-888-442-2642 or fill out our free form. Attorney Arlo Uriarte is in the Mission District, ready to defend them—in Spanish, at no cost, 24/7.
Liberation Law Group — Attorneys for Workers 24/7
2760 Mission Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94110
1-888-442-2642
Free Consultation in English or Spanish — No Obligation — No Fee Until We Win
