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Contractor fined $3.5M for workers comp, other violations​California regulators fined an Oakland contractor more than $3.5 million in wages and penalties for multiple wage theft and labor law violations, including worker misclassification that led to unprotected workers, the state Labor Commissioner’s Office announced Tuesday. 

Oakland-based Attic Pros Inc. was ordered to pay $2,109,480 in wages, liquidated damages and waiting time penalties for 119 workers who were misclassified as independent contractors, and $1,481,600 for civil penalties, according to a press statement.
Investigators found that Attic Pros’ employees worked 10-14 hours per day up to six days a week, and were paid a daily rate regardless of the actual number of hours worked — putting their earnings below minimum wage. 
The company was also accused of worker misclassification, which regulators describe as the practice of knowingly misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor to deprive employees of minimum wage, overtime protection and workers comp coverage if injured on the job.