The Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lets California employees step into the state’s shoes and pursue civil penalties against employers for Labor Code violations. Because a single PAGA notice can cover an entire workforce, these claims often involve multiple employees, layered legal issues, and significant potential penalties, making them difficult to untangle without focused guidance.
At Blue Sky Mediation Center in California, our mediators help employees and employers work through PAGA disputes outside the courtroom. We understand the local business landscape, from state agency offices to the region’s growing logistics and healthcare sectors, and we bring that local knowledge into every mediation session.
Whether you are an aggrieved employee or an employer trying to resolve a claim efficiently, our California mediation services are designed to move disputes toward a fair resolution.
California employees pursue PAGA claims for a wide range of Labor Code issues, including:
Since PAGA covers essentially any Labor Code violation, along with related health and safety regulations, claims can arise from a single incident or from company-wide policies that affect dozens of workers at once.
Before filing a lawsuit, an aggrieved employee must submit a written notice to the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA), describing the alleged violations and identifying the affected employees. The employer also receives a copy. The LWDA then has a limited window to decide whether it will investigate the claim itself.
If the agency does not act, the employee may proceed to court, where the case is treated as a representative action on behalf of all similarly situated workers. Mediation offers a way to resolve these disputes before they reach that stage, or at any point while a case is pending.
A resolved PAGA claim results in civil penalties rather than the personal damages available in a typical wrongful termination or discrimination lawsuit. Of any penalty amount, 75 percent is directed to the state, while the remaining 25 percent is divided among the affected employees.
To better understand how mediation can resolve these disputes, see our overview of the benefits of PAGA mediation. Because the calculations depend heavily on the number of pay periods and employees involved, working with a mediator who understands how these figures are typically approached can help both sides reach an agreement more efficiently.
Our mediators are focused on employment disputes throughout California, including cases involving state government contractors, healthcare employers, and small businesses across the state.
We stay current on California’s evolving wage and hour rules through ongoing continuing education, and we approach every session as a neutral party focused on a workable outcome rather than a win for one side. Sessions can be conducted virtually or in person, giving parties flexibility as they navigate scheduling around work and legal deadlines.
If you are ready to discuss your PAGA claim, contact us at Blue Sky Mediation Center in California for a consultation. You can also contact our case manager directly at admin@blueskymediationcenter.com to get started or ask questions about the mediation process.
To learn more about the background of one of our mediators, view the profile of Robert P. Mougin, a mediator based in Encinitas, California. We look forward to helping you and the other party reach a fair and lasting resolution.