I work as a respite care worker to triplets. the company I work under pays me a flat rate of 12 dollars an hour. I am working 70-75 hours a week with no overtime pay, now the family wishes me to take up more... that would mean 82-87 hours a week. every week. I am not paid overtime...ever. i was told that because I am allowed to sleep on the job (when the job permits) i am not elligable for overtime pay. is this true? I work friday afternnon all the way thru monday morning...I am off 12 hours then I work another 12 hour shift. the company is contracted through the state if that makes a difference? I don't know how much I trust them because it took them three months to get me my first paycheck and it was for the total of the 12 weeks of work!

This is NOT my area of expertise. I took a look at the CA-DLSE website's Exempt (from overtime) exceptions. The "personal attendant" exception might apply. There is nothing I know on this subject other then what is on this specific website. You could try contacting CA-DLSE directly if no one else gives you a better answer.

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Glossary.asp?Button1=P#personal%20attendant%20(</a><a%20href=/IWC/IWCArticle15.html>IWC%20Order%2015-2001</a>)