When faced with a hearing before the California Labor Commissi
oner in a Berman hearing, employers and employees alike expect to get a fair, consistent hearing to settle wage disputes. However, as Brian Sumers of the Daily Journal points out this is not always the case. His article (subscription required) provides an analysis of the inconsistencies that arise in holdings of cases heard by the Labor Commissioner’s office. It found that on average the deputy labor commissioners favor employees in about 80% of the cases they hear. In addition, the article analyzes how often specific deputy labor commissioners rule for employers or employees, and notes that the outcome varies drastically on the office and the deputy labor commissioner hearing the case. I’m quoted in the article as saying my experience has been consistent with this statistical analysis. The Labor Commissioner’s office states that it is focusing on additional training for the deputy labor commissioners to ensure a consistent enforcement of the wage laws.
Employers facing labor commissioner hearings need to ensure they are well prepared for the Berman hearings. Even though the same rules of evidence do not apply in Berman hearings as in civil court, the hearings are recorded and the parties testify under oath. Therefore, even if the deputy labor commissioner’s findings are against the employer, it is important to develop a record at this stage of litigation in order to establish the positions on appeal before a judge in superior court. For more information about hearings before the Labor Commissioner and how to prepare for them, see my previous posts here and here.