Before you accepted your current job, it is likely that you considered several factors, including rate of pay. Under federal and state wage and hour laws, employers are legally obligated to make sure that employees are paid in accordance with their employment agreement.
Unfortunately, however, some employers intentionally withhold funds or negligently fail to properly pay their employees for the work they do. As an employee, you have the right to file a claim against your employer if you have not been receiving the compensation you are owed.
How do employers violate wage and hour laws?
Employers may violate wage and hour laws in several different ways. Some of the most common ways employers violate the law include:
- Misclassifying employees: Classifying non-exempt employees as exempt or as independent contractors to avoid having to pay them overtime or minimum wage.
- Failing to pay overtime: Failing to pay non-exempt workers at a rate of one-and-one-half times their rate of pay for hours worked over 40 per week.
- Failing to pay minimum wage: Failing to pay non-exempt workers a minimum of $15.00 per hour, as required by California law.
- Failing to pay for “off-the-clock” work: Failing to pay non-exempt employees for work they are required to perform before they clock in, during meal/rest breaks, and/or after they clock out.
- Failing to provide breaks: Failing to provide non-exempt employees requisite meal and rest breaks, as per California law.
You work hard for your employer and you deserve to be properly compensated for the work you do. If you believe your employer has violated a wage and hour law, an employment law attorney can review your case and help you determine what steps to take next.