Worker Gets Favored for Being Family Member of Owner

[EmmanuelE]

My question involves employment and labor law for the state of: California

Hi everyone.
this is how it goes, i work in a night club and im in the band, my job is to pretend to play the keyboard, i do it very legite since i am a keyboard player and i put in as many hoours as all th eother members. I only get half the pay though. And if were slightly late no matter the excuse they threaten to lay us off the next weekend. We take turns with the dj performing. The dj is the owners brother and he gets there late everyday! and with no legite excuse sometimes hell even be late because hell stay home to watch the fight. The schedule is constantly changed to benefit him and he still doesnt arrive on time. Is there anything i can do? Ive been working there for 3 years.

[Dogmatique]

Are you getting paid at least minimum wage?

[cbg]

Yes, you can find work for an employer that doesn't favor family. As long as you are being paid at least the higher of state or Federal minimum wage, and overtime when it is worked, you are being treated legally. It does not violate any laws to favor family members of the owner. It does not violate any laws to threaten to fire you if you are late, EVEN IF family members are not so threatened.

[Betty3]

It may seem unfair to favor family members but it is not illegal (though you do have to be paid correctly - at least min. wage & OT when applicable). Unfair does not equal illegal. Sorry.