The majority of American employees have been underpaid for the past forty years due to economic policy decisions that have stifled the increase of hourly earnings and hindered greater gains in standards of living. As the hourly wage for the majority of workers has either ceased or decreased, attaining a secure, middle-class living has gotten more and more challenging. Due to dishonest employers taking a percentage of their employees’ paychecks, financial stability is even more elusive for millions of the lowest-paid employees in the nation.
In furtherance of paying less than the minimum wage, working unpaid overtime, misclassifying workers, and withholding money illegally from paychecks also constitute examples of wage theft. Regrettably, a lot of workers are uninformed of their rights and refrain from protesting against their bosses. Below is where wage theft attorneys may be beneficial.
What is Wage Theft?
The refusal to pay employees the full wages to which they have a right under the law is wage theft. Wage theft may appear in a variety of ways, which include but aren’t restricted to:
- Providing employees with less than the required minimum pay is a minimum wage violation.
- Violations of overtime include failing to compensate non-exempt workers for overtime that exceeds 40 hours per week.
- Off-the-clock infractions: requesting staff members to work beyond the hours of their schedules
- Violating the law by denying employees their mandated meal breaks
- Unlawful deductions from salary or failing to distribute pay stubs
- Collecting tips from employees or neglecting to pay tipped workers the disparity between their tips and the minimum wage that is required by law are both examples of tipped minimum wage infractions.
- Violating the law by misclassifying workers as independent contractors with the objective to compensate them below the legal minimum wage
Wage and Hour Laws
Regulations that establish the minimum wage, overtime pay, and other worker protections are known as wage and hour laws. These regulations were set forth to safeguard employees’ rights and prohibit wage theft. State and global wage and hour regulations vary, but they often set the minimum salary, overtime compensation, and guidelines for breaks and rest periods.
The Employment Standards Act in Canada, the National Employment Standards in Australia, and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in the United States are a few forms of wage and hour-legislation.
Role of a Wage Theft Lawyer
An attorney who focuses on advocating for employees who have been the targets of wage theft is known as a wage theft attorney. Lawyers for wage theft assist employees in recouping underpaid salaries, benefits, and damages. Additionally, they aid employees in submitting claims for wage theft to governmental bodies like the Department of Labor.
Workers can do an internet search or get in touch with their local bar association to seek out a wage theft attorney. It is vital to select a lawyer with knowledge of prosecuting wage theft cases and a solid track record of winning. A lawyer who specializes in wage theft may offer legal counsel, negotiate with companies, and defend workers in court.
How to File a Wage Theft Claim
A wage theft claim can be difficult to file, and employees may encounter difficulties including worry about retribution from their employers, communication barriers, or insufficient knowledge of the law. Here is where the services of a wage theft attorney can be useful. A wage theft attorney may help employees with the claim-filing procedure and make sure their legal entitlements are upheld.
In accordance with the state or nation, there may be different procedures for submitting a wage theft claim, but in general, employees must lodge a complaint with the appropriate government body. The organization will next look into the claim and maybe try to settle the conflict through arbitration or mediation. The case can be taken to court if a settlement is not possible.
Wage Theft Prevention Tips
It is vital for businesses as well as workers to prevent wage theft. Employers may avoid pay theft by abiding by wage and hour regulations, keeping correct records, and regularly educating staff members about their entitlements. By keeping track of their hours employed, reviewing their pay slips often, and declaring any wage theft to their employer or a government agency, workers could then avert wage theft.
Wage Theft Statistics
Millions of workers in the U.S. directly suffer from wage theft, due to companies neglecting to pay them the full salaries to which they are entitled by law. Every year, employers rob workers of billions of dollars by neglecting to pay guaranteed wages, paying below the minimums required by law, not compensating workers for all hours worked, or failing to provide overtime fees. Furthermore, it impoverishes the households of hundreds of thousands of affected employees.
Alongside harming the employees and families who are directly exploited, wage theft also reduces the ability to negotiate for employees in general by driving down hourly wages in the impacted sectors and professions.
Hire A Wage Theft Attorney From Abdi & Associates
In summary, wage theft is a significant issue that has an impact on millions of workers throughout nations worldwide. While wage theft can have serious repercussions for workers, attorneys who concentrate on this area can assist employees in recouping unpaid benefits and wages. For the prevention of wage theft from occurring, it is vital that both workers and their employers are aware of their legal duties and rights. It’s crucial to get legal counsel from a pay theft attorney if you’ve been the victim of wage theft so as to safeguard your rights.
With regard to FLSA infractions such as wage theft, Abdi & Associates has the skills to help you. We would be very delighted to talk with you about your claim. Furthermore, we offer no-cost consultations to address your concerns and assess your situation. Call us at (888) 772-2529 or use our online form right now.