There are a number of things that your employer can do that might violate the wage and hour laws of the state in which you work. These might include:
If My Employer Has Not Paid Me, What Should I Do?If you have not been paid wages for hours that you have worked, the first thing you should do is speak with your employer to see if they have a reasonable explanation for failing to pay you, such as a clerical or bank error.
If, after speaking with your employer, it seems that he/she does not intend to pay you the money that you are owed, you should contact the agency within your state that deals with wage and hour requirements.
What Remedies Might Be Available To Me?Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), there are a number of different ways that you can recover wages owed to you. You can: - file a claim with your state labor commissioner, or
- file a private lawsuit against your employer to recover unpaid wages and possibly other damages
In some states, you will be required to pursue all administrative remedies, such as filing a claim with the labor commissioner, before you can file a lawsuit in court, though this is not always the case.
Should I Contact an Attorney About My Wage Issue?If your employer has not paid you the wages that you have earned, you should contact an attorney immediately. A lawyer with experience in employment law and litigation can provide you valuable assistance, regardless of whether you want to file a claim with your state's labor board or if you wish to file a lawsuit. |
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