Wage theft has become a common problem for employees, especially for service and low-income ones, these days. From failure to receive rightfully earned overtime pay, receiving incorrect pay, or even not receiving pay at all, there are many ways employees are experiencing wage theft in today’s workplace.
Recognizing Wage Theft
Wage theft is defined as the illegal withholdings of wages, or the denial of benefits that are rightfully owed to an employee, covering a wide range of situations in which an employee is denied their contractually promised wages.
Types Of Wage Theft
The most common types of wage theft are failure to pay overtime, misclassification of an employee, illegal deductions, and underpayment of wages. Wage theft is a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA), which set guidelines for minimum wage, which varies by state, and for the payment of overtime, which is paid out as time and a half if worked over 40 hours. Wage theft is also a violation of a variety of tax laws, especially when an employee is misclassified.
Preventing Wage Theft
Wage theft can occur to anyone, no matter their role or the business they work for. Therefor, it is critical to ensure you are receiving your legally contractual and earned pay. If you feel that you are a victim of wage theft, you must direct your concerns to your supervisor or employer immediately.
In the event that you have done so, and there has not been a successful resolution, it may in your best interest to consult with an employment lawyer, especially since overtime and wage laws are so complex.
For more information or help with your wage and overtime theft, or any other violation of your workplace rights, contact the employment attorneys at Maduff & Maduff today.