Wage and hour cases in Santa Cruz County at a glance
Employers in Santa Cruz County account for 103 concluded Wage and Hour Division investigations since 2004, 74 of which found violations (72%). Employers agreed to pay $921,921 in back wages to 603 workers, and $798,228 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 Construction ($318,753), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting ($194,807), Health Care and Social Assistance ($190,372).
All cases, newest first
103 cases, page 2 of 2.
| Employer | City | Case closed | Findings | Back wages | Workers paid | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borland Software Corporation | Scotts Valley | Dec 16, 2003 | 5 violations | $12,400 | 4 | 0 |
| Monterey County Library Pajaro Branch | Watsonville | Jul 12, 2003 | 1 violation | $8 | 1 | 0 |
| Moriarty's Roofing | Santa Cruz | not stated | no violations found | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Largest back-wage records in Santa Cruz County
| Employer | Cases | Back wages | Workers paid | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite Construction Company | 3 | $161,424 | 10 | May 2, 2015 |
| System USA Inc | 1 | $147,677 | 44 | Jan 22, 2013 |
| Glez Farms, Inc. | 1 | $123,132 | 152 | Nov 30, 2023 |
| Dominican Hospital | 1 | $59,212 | 29 | Dec 12, 2012 |
| Pono Hawaiian Grill, LLC | 1 | $50,973 | 72 | Oct 27, 2024 |
| Capitola Manor | 1 | $50,000 | 45 | Mar 9, 2016 |
| Canepa Design | 1 | $39,727 | 38 | Feb 10, 2010 |
| Jorge Castro Farms | 1 | $34,650 | 25 | Oct 21, 2011 |
| City of Watsonville | 1 | $32,500 | 1 | Mar 6, 2024 |
| Poppy Hill Home | 1 | $30,399 | 2 | Mar 4, 2024 |
| Driftwood Healthcare Center- Santa Cruz | 1 | $22,282 | 3 | Jun 8, 2023 |
| Aptos Country Home | 1 | $19,735 | 3 | Mar 4, 2024 |
| Fernandez Farms, Inc. | 4 | $18,840 | 13 | Sep 1, 2024 |
| Borland Software Corporation | 1 | $12,400 | 4 | Dec 16, 2003 |
| Phillips 66 SEI 38009 | 1 | $11,798 | 9 | Nov 13, 2024 |
| Mandujano Farms | 2 | $11,468 | 16 | Nov 30, 2009 |
| Palapas Restaurant and Cantina | 1 | $10,950 | 5 | Jul 7, 2016 |
| Tom Santoro Transportation, Inc. | 1 | $10,927 | 12 | Dec 31, 2006 |
| 88 Enterprise | 1 | $10,688 | 1 | Oct 11, 2023 |
| Chanticleer Home | 1 | $8,744 | 24 | Aug 31, 2009 |
By year closed
| Year | Cases | With violations | Back wages | Workers paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | $6,486 | 2 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 | $164,245 | 100 |
| 2023 | 7 | 7 | $156,102 | 156 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | $0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | $0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 8 | 7 | $16,805 | 21 |
| 2019 | 5 | 3 | $1,640 | 7 |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 | $60,950 | 50 |
| 2015 | 1 | 1 | $3,504 | 1 |
| 2014 | 10 | 5 | $9,364 | 30 |
| 2013 | 2 | 1 | $147,677 | 44 |
| 2012 | 12 | 8 | $60,124 | 34 |
| 2011 | 5 | 5 | $34,650 | 25 |
| 2010 | 3 | 3 | $40,357 | 39 |
| 2009 | 12 | 6 | $27,341 | 46 |
| 2008 | 10 | 7 | $149,430 | 7 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | $0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 | 2 | $19,417 | 14 |
| 2005 | 4 | 2 | $2,130 | 14 |
| 2004 | 4 | 3 | $9,291 | 8 |
Cities in Santa Cruz County with cases
- Watsonville56 cases, $582,052
- Santa Cruz32 cases, $262,900
- Scotts Valley5 cases, $61,580
- Aptos2 cases, $10,950
- Soquel4 cases, $4,410
- Capitola1 cases, $29
- Royal Oaks1 cases, $0
- Felton2 cases, $0
Your rights in Santa Cruz County
The federal file stops at $7.25 and weekly overtime. California workers in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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.