California Adjuncts Sue for ‘Uncompensated Work’

Adjunct faculty members at California community colleges filed a lawsuit on June 26, 2026, alleging that the state has failed to compensate them for work performed outside of direct classroom instruction. The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that adjuncts are routinely required to engage in activities such as grading, preparing lectures, communicating with students, and attending mandatory meetings without receiving pay for these hours. This practice, according to the plaintiffs, violates California labor laws, including the state's overtime regulations. The lawsuit seeks to represent thousands of adjunct faculty across the state's 116 community college districts, arguing that the current system effectively forces these instructors to work unpaid overtime. The plaintiffs are seeking back pay for all uncompensated hours worked since at least 2020, as well as penalties and legal fees. This legal action highlights ongoing concerns about the working conditions and compensation of adjunct faculty, who often form the backbone of instruction in higher education but are frequently employed on a part-time, non-tenure-track basis with limited benefits and job security. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for how adjunct faculty are compensated and classified throughout California's public higher education system.