Employment

Where to File a California Equal Pay Claim

The most common misconception about pay discrimination claims is that you must start with a government agency and wait months for permission to sue. For a California Equal Pay Act claim, that is simply false: no EEOC charge, no right-to-sue letter, no administrative exhaustion. You choose the forum — the Labor Commissioner, the courts, or an agency track when it adds value. Each route has different deadlines, costs, and remedies. Here is how to choose.

Where to File a California Equal Pay Claim
  • $3B+RECOVERED
  • 7X"BEST LAW FIRM" AWARDS
  • 24/7AVAILABILITY & SUPPORT
  • 500+LEGAL PROFESSIONALS

Understanding Your Equal Pay Case

Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.

You file an Equal Pay Act claim with the DLSE — the dedicated form is Form EPA-1 — within three years. The Labor Commissioner investigates, can order payment of the wage differential plus liquidated damages and interest, and handles retaliation complaints as well (those must be filed within one year). The process is free and does not require a lawyer, which makes it a reasonable route for smaller, well-documented claims. Its limits: no FEHA damages, agency timelines you don't control, and either side can end up in court anyway.

When the claim is substantial, the employer is likely to fight, or FEHA claims travel with it. Court unlocks full discovery — payroll data, pay bands, internal audits, comparator files — plus the complete remedy stack: six years of back pay, liquidated damages, interest, attorney's fees, and, through the paired FEHA claim, emotional distress and punitive damages. On contingency, the practical cost difference to you is nothing, which is why most represented employees with significant claims file in court.

The CRD enforces FEHA, and pay discrimination based on sex, race, or ethnicity typically violates FEHA too. You have three years to file a CRD complaint, and most claimants request an immediate right-to-sue letter so the FEHA claim can be filed in court together with the Equal Pay Act claim — our employment discrimination attorneys handle both in one case. The CRD can also prosecute cases itself: it brought the landmark action against Activision Blizzard that settled for $54.875 million in 2024 under the Equal Pay Act and FEHA.

Mostly when federal claims add leverage: multi-state employers, comparators outside California, or Title VII theories that reach conduct the state claims don't. Remember the trade-offs — Title VII requires a charge within 300 days and caps compensatory and punitive damages by employer size, while the federal Equal Pay Act's lookback is shorter than California's. For most California-based pay gaps, the state package is stronger and faster; see every deadline compared.

They will learn of a filed claim — there is no anonymous route to recovering your own wages — but punishing you for it is separately illegal. Labor Code § 1197.5(k) prohibits discharge, discrimination, or retaliation for invoking the Act, the DLSE applies a rebuttable presumption of retaliation for adverse action within 90 days of protected activity, and retaliation adds its own claim and damages on top of the pay case. Document everything that happens after you raise the issue, and loop in our workplace retaliation team at the first sign of blowback.

Client Reviews


“Wilshire Law Firm was very fast responding to me about my case… they were very nice and helpful and made sure I understood all of the facts. I would recommend [Wilshire Law Firm] for anyone who is looking for the best; they are number one. Thank you Wilshire and staff for making things feel easier.”

Angela B.

Wage & Hour

$6.8M

San Bernardino County wage and hour class action settlement: a class of employees alleged their employer failed to pay wages owed and sought related penalties.

Wage & Hour

$5.5M

Oakland wage and hour class action settlement: senior living facility employees alleged unpaid wages, meal and rest break violations and unreimbursed expenses in class and representative claims.

Wage & Hour

$4.0M

Hawthorne wage and hour class action settlement: a manufacturer's hourly employees alleged missed rest breaks, short or late meal periods and unpaid wages, plus unreimbursed work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$3.9M

Newport Beach wage and hour class action settlement: hourly manufacturing plant employees alleged late and interrupted meal and rest breaks and sought unpaid premium pay.

Wage & Hour

$3.5M

Camarillo wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged meal and rest period violations and sought unpaid wages plus the related premiums.

Wage & Hour

$3.5M

Alameda County wage and hour class action settlement: hourly workers at a security systems company alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations, and sought break premiums.

Wage & Hour

$3.3M

Irvine wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees of a products company alleged they were denied compliant meal and rest breaks and sought premium pay and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.1M

Torrance wage and hour class action settlement: retail store employees alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations, seeking final pay, waiting-time penalties and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.0M

Thousand Oaks wage and hour class action settlement: a manufacturer's employees alleged unpaid pre-shift work and noncompliant meal and rest breaks, seeking break premiums and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.0M

Orange County wage and hour class action settlement: a healthcare employer's hourly workers alleged unpaid overtime and meal and rest break violations and sought premium pay and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$3.0M

San Diego wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged unpaid wages and break violations, pursuing meal and rest period premiums and repayment of work costs.

Wage & Hour

$2.8M

Riverside County wage and hour class action settlement: a restaurant franchise's hourly workers alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations and sought to recover their work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$2.8M

Brentwood wage and hour class action settlement: an education provider's hourly staff alleged unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations and sought premium pay and expense reimbursement.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Francisco County wage and hour class action settlement: hourly campus employees sought unpaid wages and work expense reimbursement, alleging meal and rest period violations.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Jose wage and hour class action settlement: hourly car dealership employees alleged they were underpaid, denied proper meal and rest periods and not reimbursed for work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Francisco County wage and hour class action settlement: hourly clinic staff alleged off-the-clock work, meal and rest period violations, unpaid premiums and unreimbursed work expenses.

Wage & Hour

$2.5M

San Leandro wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged unpaid overtime, unpaid wages and meal and rest period violations, and claimed break premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Wage & Hour

$2.4M

Orange County wage and hour class action settlement: restaurant employees alleged a franchise operator failed to provide legally required meal and rest breaks or pay the premiums owed.

Wage & Hour

$2.2M

Los Angeles wage and hour class action settlement: hourly hospital employees alleged their employer failed to provide meal periods required by California law.

Wage & Hour

$2.1M

San Diego County wage and hour class action settlement: franchise restaurant workers alleged unpaid off-the-clock work, late meal and rest breaks without premium pay, and unreimbursed work gear.

Wrongful Termination

$2.0M

Alameda County wrongful termination settlement: an employee who reported a coworker's harassment and helped a colleague file a complaint alleged being fired months later. The employer cited a layoff.

Wage & Hour

$2.0M

Tulare wage and hour class action settlement: food processing employees alleged interrupted rest breaks without premium pay and no reimbursement for personal phones used for work.

Wage & Hour

$2.0M

Watsonville wage and hour class action settlement: hourly workers at an agricultural company alleged unpaid overtime, interrupted lunches and missing rest breaks during long shifts.

Wage & Hour

$1.6M

Barstow wage and hour class action settlement: hourly workers at a vehicle-services business alleged unpaid off-the-clock time, meal and rest break violations and unreimbursed uniform costs.

Workplace Retaliation

$1.0M

Los Angeles County workplace retaliation settlement: an employee alleged being fired weeks after reporting harassment and wage violations. The employer said the position was eliminated.

Wage & Hour

$910K

Gardena wage and hour class action settlement: hourly employees alleged they were denied meal and rest breaks without premium pay and had to cover supplies and phone costs.

Leave of Absence

$825K

Oakland leave of absence settlement: a worker who had come back from approved medical leave was later fired and alleged retaliation and wrongful termination by the employer.

Workplace Harassment

$750K

Woodland workplace harassment settlement: a worker alleged sexual harassment and discrimination, and that supervisors took no action on repeated complaints before the worker was forced to quit.

Leave of Absence

$750K

Los Angeles leave of absence settlement: an employee let go while on approved medical leave alleged disability discrimination and wrongful termination. The employer cited restructuring.

Workplace Retaliation

$500K

Santa Ana workplace retaliation settlement: an employee alleged being let go after reporting inappropriate conduct by a manager. The company called it a layoff.

Workplace Retaliation

$500K

Fresno workplace retaliation settlement: an employee alleged being fired after an ethics complaint about patient privacy violations. The claims included discrimination and wrongful termination.

Leave of Absence

$500K

Commerce leave of absence settlement: an employee on approved medical leave alleged being fired weeks before a scheduled return, with no prior warnings. The claims included disability discrimination.

Disability Discrimination

$500K

Morgan Hill disability discrimination settlement: an employee alleged being let go during medical treatment after a request for remote work was refused. The employer cited hardship.

Disability Discrimination

$500K

Los Angeles County disability discrimination settlement: an employee alleged being fired for requesting more medical leave while coworkers were already covering the work. The employer cited hardship.

Disability Discrimination

$425K

Anaheim disability discrimination settlement: an employee facing medical treatment alleged being fired in retaliation within two weeks of complaining about a manager, despite no write-ups.

Disability Discrimination

$395K

Riverside disability discrimination settlement: an employee alleged being fired after asking to extend medical leave. The employer said the leave was exhausted.

Wrongful Termination

$340K

Santa Clara County wrongful termination settlement: an employee alleged being fired after complaining to human resources about a manager. The employer raised performance concerns after the complaint.

Workplace Discrimination

$260K

California workplace discrimination settlement: an employee alleged the employer denied reasonable accommodations and then ended the job, bringing discrimination and wrongful termination claims.

Leave of Absence

$250K

Bakersfield leave of absence settlement: an employee on doctor-ordered medical leave alleged being fired during the leave. The termination letter gave no reason.

Wrongful Termination

$225K

Campbell wrongful termination settlement: an employee who sought a medical accommodation alleged being fired in retaliation days after human resources closed a harassment complaint.

Wage & Hour

$220K

Signal Hill wage and hour class action settlement: employees alleged they missed meal and rest breaks without receiving premium pay and were not paid for all time worked.

Wage & Hour

$200K

Hemet wage and hour class action settlement: hourly thrift store employees alleged meal and rest period violations, seeking premium pay, cell phone expense reimbursement and PAGA penalties.

Wage & Hour

$185K

Shasta County wage and hour settlement: an employee brought a representative claim on behalf of healthcare employees, alleging meal and rest period violations, unpaid wages and unreimbursed expenses.

Wrongful Termination

$176K

Newport Beach wrongful termination settlement: a restaurant employee alleged being fired after reporting a coworker's sexual harassment. The employer claimed a layoff but brought that coworker back.

Disability Discrimination

$175K

San Francisco disability discrimination settlement: an employee with disabling medical conditions alleged being denied accommodations and wrongfully terminated from a salaried position while disabled.

Disability Discrimination

$174K

Tulare County disability discrimination settlement: an employee on medical leave alleged being fired while still disabled and awaiting further treatment. The employer cited a single write-up.

Wrongful Termination

$170K

Torrance wrongful termination settlement: a care facility employee alleged being fired the same day the employee reported medication handling concerns and racial mistreatment to corporate.

Leave of Absence

$125K

Downey leave of absence settlement: an employee alleged being fired while on medical leave after a warning that filing for protected leave would lead to termination.

Disability Discrimination

$125K

Sacramento County disability discrimination settlement: an employee on intermittent medical leave alleged being fired because of a medical condition and age. The claims also included retaliation.

Wage & Hour

$116K

San Diego wage and hour settlement: a restaurant employee alleged unpaid overtime from edited time sheets and straight-time pay for extra hours, plus missed meal and rest breaks.

Wage & Hour

$100K

Victorville wage and hour class action settlement: hourly restaurant employees alleged their employer left wages unpaid, violated meal and rest period rules and did not reimburse work expenses.

*Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.

Equal Pay Cases: How It Works

One Call. We Handle the Rest.

It starts with one call. From there, we handle everything, building your case, standing up to insurance companies and corporations, and fighting for your future. Here's how it works...

Do You Have to File With an Agency Before Suing for Unequal Pay?

No. Under Labor Code § 1197.5 you may file a wage claim with the Labor Commissioner (DLSE) or file a civil action directly in court — your choice, no exhaustion required. This is a major difference from Title VII, which demands an EEOC charge and a right-to-sue letter, and from FEHA, which requires a Civil Rights Department complaint first. The one wrinkle: if you want FEHA's additional remedies (emotional distress, punitive damages) alongside your Equal Pay Act claim — and in serious cases you usually do — your attorney obtains the CRD right-to-sue as part of filing the combined case. That is paperwork we handle, not a barrier.

Share this page

Send it to someone who could use it, or copy it into ChatGPT, Gemini or your notes.

Start Your Free Equal Pay Case Review

4.9 stars from 2,526 reviews
  • Available 24/7
  • Hablamos Español
  • Nationally-Recognized Powerhouse Team
As seen in:

We'll contact you within minutes

No fees unless you get paid.

By submitting this form, you knowingly, voluntarily, and expressly consent to receive from Wilshire Law Firm telephone calls, emails, and SMS text messages, including those made using an automatic telephone dialing system (auto-dialer), artificial intelligence (AI), and/or pre-recorded or artificial voice messages. These communications are for the purpose of providing prompt consultation regarding your potential case. You understand that by providing your telephone number, you are granting permission to be contacted for this purpose, even if your number is on a federal or state Do-Not-Call registry. Consent is not required as a condition of retaining Wilshire Law Firm. Message and data rates may apply. You may revoke your consent to receive calls, texts, or emails at any time by replying “STOP” to any text message, calling 888-557-3271, filling out the form at wilshirelawfirm.com/do-not-contact or by any other reasonable method. For more information, refer to our Privacy Policy.

Record-breaking results

Winners of #1 Settlements in California

Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars, including some of the biggest settlements in California.

17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*

TopVerdict #1TopVerdict.com #1 settlements

1 of 17

  • #1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Multi-Vehicle Accident Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Multi-Vehicle Accident Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Equipment Malfunction Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Equipment Malfunction Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement — California (2024)

    #1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement

    2024

  • #1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Negligent Security Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Negligent Security Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Ladder Accident Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Ladder Accident Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement — California (2023)

    #1 Bicycle Accident Settlement

    2023

  • #1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement

    2022

  • #1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement

    2022

  • #1 Wrongful Termination Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Wrongful Termination Settlement

    2022

  • #1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement — California (2022)

    #1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement

    2022

*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Equal Pay FAQs

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.

Not for the Equal Pay Act claim — you can file in court directly. A right-to-sue letter only enters the picture for the companion FEHA claim, and your attorney obtains it as routine paperwork.

The Labor Commissioner's dedicated Equal Pay Act claim form. It starts the DLSE investigation track — one of the two main routes, and the one suited to smaller claims.

Rough rule: modest, well-documented gap with a cooperative employer — Labor Commissioner works. Substantial gap, equity involved, retaliation risk, or an employer that will fight — court, with FEHA claims attached. A free case review sorts this in one conversation.

Yes. California wage protections, including the Equal Pay Act, apply regardless of immigration status, and the Labor Commissioner does not ask about it.

The CRD can and sometimes does prosecute systemic pay discrimination — Activision Blizzard is the recent example — but you don't need to wait for the state. Your private claim is yours to file now.

Related Content

Guides, nearby offices, and related practice areas to equal pay claims.

Locations

Find your nearest office — serving all of California and employment clients in Oregon and Washington.

Appointments required for office visitsCall 213-754-1375 to schedulePrefer to start online? Start my free case review