Asking employers if employees are exempt or not is the likely cause. A common mistake employers make is assuming that if you are paid a salary, you are exempt.

In truth, if your salary is below 47k in CA, you are not exempt and entitled to overtime.

https://www.calchamber.com/california-employment-law/pages/e...

"Exempt employees in California generally must earn a minimum monthly salary of no less than two times the state minimum wage for full time employment. Paying an employee a salary does not make them exempt, nor does it change any requirements for compliance with wage and hour laws."

It's not about accidental miscalculation, it's about intentionally classifying employees in dubious/illegal ways to cut down on their benefits.