If an employee is forced to accept less money than due, the employer may face civil penalties up to which amount?

• A. No civil penalty because of exclusive remedy
• B. Civil penalty up to $100
• C. Civil penalty up to $500
• D. Civil penalty up to $100,000

Answer: (D)

When an employer forces an employee to accept less money than is due, it is a wage violation that can trigger civil penalties under California law. These penalties are meant to deter wage theft and can be substantial. In the most serious cases, the civil penalty can reach up to $100,000 for a single violation, in addition to back wages owed and any interest. This enforcement reflects the seriousness of underpaying workers and serves as a strong incentive for compliance. The idea that there would be only a small penalty or that there’s no civil penalty at all doesn’t fit the enforcement framework for wage violations; the penalties are designed to be significant to deter such misconduct, not just provide a remedy for the employee.