Wage and hour cases in Humboldt County at a glance
Employers in Humboldt County account for 24 concluded Wage and Hour Division investigations since 2004, 16 of which found violations (67%). Employers agreed to pay $515,155 in back wages to 497 workers, and $86,166 in civil money penalties was assessed. In the last 12 months 0 cases closed with $0 in back wages. The industries with the most back wages here are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting ($365,851), Construction ($116,890), Administrative and Support and Waste Management Services ($16,340).
All cases, newest first
24 cases.
| Employer | City | Case closed | Findings | Back wages | Workers paid | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danco Builders Northwest | Arcata | Jul 16, 2023 | 14 violations | $116,890 | 14 | 0 |
| The Sun Valley Group, Inc. | Arcata | Dec 31, 2021 | 1,483 violations | $365,851 | 435 | $63,566 |
| Rip Tide Cafe | Arcata | Nov 3, 2021 | 13 violations | $2,645 | 12 | 0 |
| IHSS County of Humboldt California Department of Social Services | Eureka | Sep 25, 2021 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sun Valley Floral Farm | Arcata | Feb 7, 2016 | 27 violations | 0 | 0 | $22,600 |
| City of Eureka Parks and Recreation | Eureka | May 19, 2015 | 4 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Glen Paul School Humboldt County Office of Education | Eureka | Apr 19, 2013 | 2 violations | $6 | 2 | 0 |
| United States Postal Service | Eureka | Apr 1, 2013 | 2 violations | $5,834 | 1 | 0 |
| United States Postal Service | Eureka | Aug 24, 2012 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chin's Cafe & Motel | Eureka | Dec 31, 2011 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oriental Buffet Zhao & Wang Inc. dba Oriental Buffet | Arcata | Jun 12, 2011 | 32 violations | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| United Indian Health Services, Inc. | Arcata | Feb 28, 2011 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| James Able Forestry Consultants, Inc. | Eureka | Feb 28, 2011 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| United Indian Health Services, Inc. | Arcata | Jan 24, 2011 | 1 violation | $1,607 | 1 | 0 |
| It's My Home AM Family Ventures, Inc. | Eureka | Jan 31, 2010 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Freshwater Nursery, Inc. | Eureka | Apr 3, 2009 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| The Sun Valley Group, Inc. | Arcata | Mar 31, 2009 | 1 violation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| The Sun Valley Group, Inc. | Arcata | Mar 31, 2009 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Westgate Gardens Nursery | Eureka | Mar 31, 2009 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wolfsen Farms | Mckinleyville | Mar 31, 2009 | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Burger King Bayshore Foods, Inc. | Eureka | Nov 30, 2005 | 22 violations | $2,815 | 22 | 0 |
| Vern's Furniture | Eureka | Dec 31, 2004 | 2 violations | $3,167 | 2 | 0 |
| A-1 Security | Eureka | Nov 7, 2003 | 10 violations | $9,963 | 5 | 0 |
| A-1 Security Service A-1 Security Services, Inc. | Eureka | Feb 28, 2003 | 8 violations | $6,377 | 3 | 0 |
Largest back-wage records in Humboldt County
| Employer | Cases | Back wages | Workers paid | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Sun Valley Group, Inc. | 3 | $365,851 | 435 | Dec 31, 2021 |
| Danco Builders Northwest | 1 | $116,890 | 14 | Jul 16, 2023 |
| A-1 Security | 1 | $9,963 | 5 | Nov 7, 2003 |
| A-1 Security Service | 1 | $6,377 | 3 | Feb 28, 2003 |
| United States Postal Service | 2 | $5,834 | 1 | Apr 1, 2013 |
| Vern's Furniture | 1 | $3,167 | 2 | Dec 31, 2004 |
| Burger King | 1 | $2,815 | 22 | Nov 30, 2005 |
| Rip Tide Cafe | 1 | $2,645 | 12 | Nov 3, 2021 |
| United Indian Health Services, Inc. | 2 | $1,607 | 1 | Feb 28, 2011 |
| Glen Paul School | 1 | $6 | 2 | Apr 19, 2013 |
| Wolfsen Farms | 1 | $0 | 0 | Mar 31, 2009 |
| James Able Forestry Consultants, Inc. | 1 | $0 | 0 | Feb 28, 2011 |
| Freshwater Nursery, Inc. | 1 | $0 | 0 | Apr 3, 2009 |
| City of Eureka Parks and Recreation | 1 | $0 | 0 | May 19, 2015 |
| Westgate Gardens Nursery | 1 | $0 | 0 | Mar 31, 2009 |
| Chin's Cafe & Motel | 1 | $0 | 0 | Dec 31, 2011 |
| IHSS County of Humboldt | 1 | $0 | 0 | Sep 25, 2021 |
| Oriental Buffet | 1 | $0 | 0 | Jun 12, 2011 |
| It's My Home | 1 | $0 | 0 | Jan 31, 2010 |
| Sun Valley Floral Farm | 1 | $0 | 0 | Feb 7, 2016 |
By year closed
| Year | Cases | With violations | Back wages | Workers paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | $116,890 | 14 |
| 2021 | 3 | 2 | $368,496 | 447 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 | $0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 1 | $0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 2 | 2 | $5,840 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | $0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 5 | 3 | $1,607 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | $0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 5 | 2 | $0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 | 1 | $2,815 | 22 |
| 2004 | 1 | 1 | $3,167 | 2 |
Cities in Humboldt County with cases
- Arcata9 cases, $486,993
- Eureka14 cases, $28,162
- Mckinleyville1 cases, $0
Your rights in Humboldt County
The federal file stops at $7.25 and weekly overtime. California workers in Humboldt County are owed the state minimum wage of $16.90 in 2026 or the higher local rate, overtime after 8 hours in a day, an hour of pay for each missed meal or rest period, and up to 30 days of wages when final pay is late. Claims go to the Labor Commissioner or to Superior Court, three years back, four under the Unfair Competition Law. Our Humboldt County employment law page covers the local offices and deadlines. Free, confidential review: (800) 371-3088.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division enforcement database, California cases through Sep 6, 2026. County is assigned from the city on the case. Back to the wage theft tracker.
About this data: Cases come from the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division enforcement database (WHD compliance actions concluded since fiscal year 2005, California employers only), published by the Department of Labor and reloaded here every month. "Back wages" are amounts the employer agreed to pay at the close of the investigation; "penalties" are civil money penalties assessed. An investigation that found no violation is listed as such. The database does not include California Labor Commissioner cases or private lawsuits. This page is general information, not legal advice about your situation.