Burbank is its own city, not a Los Angeles neighborhood. A Burbank employment lawyer has to separate California law, which applies everywhere in the state, from City of Los Angeles ordinances, which do not apply just because the workplace is a few minutes from Van Nuys.
Jonny Law represents employees who work in Burbank. The statewide minimum wage is $16.90 an hour as of January 1, 2026. Burbank does not have its own general minimum-wage ordinance, so most private employers in the city follow that state rate. Fast-food and certain healthcare jobs can have higher statewide rates. Overtime, meal breaks, and rest breaks still come from the California Labor Code and the wage orders.
Studios, production, and the airport
Burbank’s largest private employers include the major studios and the production work built around them, plus Hollywood Burbank Airport. The problems we see from those workplaces are specific:
- On-set overtime and off-the-clock time. Call times, wrap, and “a few minutes” of prep are hours worked if the employer required them. Daily overtime after eight hours still applies to non-exempt employees.
- Meal penalties during shoots. A meal period is due before the end of the fifth hour. A late or missed meal is generally one hour of premium pay, even when the day already includes overtime.
- Misclassification of crew and assistants as independent contractors or as exempt employees who are then asked to work unlimited hours for a flat weekly rate.
- Airport, hotel, and concession workers whose schedules are split or whose tips are taken into a pool that does not follow California tip rules.
Entertainment work permits for minors are processed at the Labor Commissioner’s Van Nuys office, which is the DLSE office that also takes wage claims for this part of the Valley. See the DLSE office list.
Burbank city employment is a different defendant
The City of Burbank, the school district, and other public employers are not sued under the same procedures as a studio. Government claims often require a written claim under the Government Claims Act before a lawsuit, and the deadlines are short. Public-safety and some union jobs also have their own overtime and grievance rules. If you were fired or disciplined by a public employer in Burbank, say that at the start of the consultation so the claim route is not missed.
What still matches the rest of the Valley
Wrongful termination in violation of public policy, FEHA discrimination and harassment, Labor Code 1102.5 whistleblower retaliation, and waiting-time penalties for a late final paycheck are statewide. A Burbank employer who pays the state minimum wage still owes overtime, accurate wage statements, and paid sick leave under California law.
Los Angeles rules start again when the work is performed inside the City of Los Angeles. A Burbank resident who works in Van Nuys or Studio City is covered by the Los Angeles minimum wage for those hours. Track the location of the shift, not only the home address.
San Fernando Valley employment lawyers
These guides cover the Valley cities and neighborhoods where Jonny Law represents employees. Each page is about that place, not a copy of the others.
- Employment Lawyer in Van Nuys
- Employment Lawyer in Glendale
- Employment Lawyer in Encino
- Employment Lawyer in Sherman Oaks
- Employment Lawyer in Woodland Hills
- Employment Lawyer in Studio City
Practice guides: California labor and employment, wage and hour, wrongful termination, workplace harassment, and discrimination.
Talk with Jonny Law
If you work in Burbank and you were not paid, you were fired after a complaint, or you are being harassed, contact Jonny Law at 800-566-4868. Consultations are confidential. This page is general information about California and local employment law. It is not legal advice for a specific case, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
