The forensic HR partner that protects California employers from compliance exposure.
How Much Could a PAGA Claim Cost You?
Turn vague dread into specific math. See exactly what a 5% meal-break error across your workforce means in dollar terms—and how proactive auditing can slash that exposure by up to 85%.
Your Company Profile
Total non-exempt (hourly) employees in California. Exposure scales with headcount across all penalty categories.
2026 CA Minimum: $16.90/hr. Used to calculate meal/rest premiums and wait time penalties.
PAGA penalties are calculated per pay period. More frequent pay = more periods = higher PAGA exposure.
What % of your workforce has missed meal or rest breaks? Each violation = 1 hour of pay per employee per workday. Also affects wage statement and PAGA penalties.
~10 terminated over 3 years. Wait time penalties only apply to employees who left and didn't get their final paycheck on time.
CA law requires final pay immediately (fired) or within 72 hours (quit). Each late day = 1 day's wages as penalty, capped at 30 days.
Projected Enterprise Exposure (Kitchen Sink)
DISCLAIMER: This figure represents the aggregate statutory maximum exposure based on current California 2026 Labor Code standards and typical plaintiff attorney "Kitchen Sink" stacking. This is not a judgment, but a forensic projection of potential liability if claims are not cured within the 60-day statutory window.
Forensic Breakdown: Attorney "Kitchen Sink" vs. Defense Status
| Risk Category | Attorney "Kitchen Sink" Value | Forensic Defense Status |
|---|---|---|
PAGA Civil Penalties (LC § 2699) $100/aggrieved emp/period × 78 periods | $78,000 | REDUCIBLE TO $12K 85% discount with pre-suit cure (LC § 2699(j)) |
Section 203 Wait Time $135.20/day × 15 days × 10 terms | $20,280 | FIXED via Timely Final Pay Procedural cure available |
Section 226 Wage Stubs $4,000 cap × 10 affected | $40,000 | NEUTRALIZED via Cure Compliant statements eliminate exposure |
Meal/Rest Premiums + Interest (LC § 226.7) $16.90/hr × 78 workdays × affected + 7% int | $145,661 | PAYABLE - Base Cure Amount Cannot be reduced, must be paid |
Attorney Fee Load (33.3%) Plaintiff counsel award on total (both sides in PAGA) | $94,552 | REDUCED TO $72K Save $22K with lower base exposure |
TOTAL EXPOSURE | $378,493 | Save $88K |
Need a Complete Compliance Assessment?
Get a comprehensive HR Risk Score that evaluates all areas of your compliance posture — safety, wages, benefits, and PAGA exposure.
Why Enterprise Owners Use This Calculator
The "Aha!" Moment
When you see that a 5% meal-break error across 1,200 employees results in a $4.8M PAGA exposure, the $1,400 Cure Card for a single employee suddenly seems like a bargain.
The SB 261 Trigger
The 180-day Treble Damage window is real. A 3x multiplier on unpaid wages turns manageable numbers into existential threats—motivating immediate action.
The 85% Discount
Under PAGA Reform, employers with proactive compliance programs qualify for up to 85% penalty reductions. This calculator shows you exactly what that means in dollars saved.
The Forensic Handshake
This calculator uses estimates. Our forensic engine uses your actual payroll data to find violations you didn't know existed—before attorneys do.