Ringgold FLSA Lawyer

Georgia’s laws concerning fair wages are minimal. Still, all workers have the right to collect a fair wage for all hours that they work. These laws are set in place and enforced by the federal government.

Despite the clear language of these laws, some employers choose to ignore them and take advantage of their workers. This can take the form of not paying minimum wage for every hour worked, ignoring overtime rules, and even discriminating against workers based on their sex.

If you need to seek a remedy for violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, a Ringgold FLSA lawyer could explain your rights under the law, help you choose a path that provides the best chance to recover your lost wages, and work to pursue your claim. Contact one our seasoned attorneys today to get started on your case.

Labor Laws in Ringgold

All employees in Ringgold, Georgia are protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This federal law establishes basic protections enjoyed by all workers in the United States, including:

• A minimum hourly wage of $7.25 for every hour worked
• Overtime pay, such that all hours worked in excess of 40 in a week are paid at one and half times the normal hourly rate
• A prohibition on any sort of negative employment action due to a person’s sex

Some states have enacted laws expanding upon these minimal protections. However, Georgia has not. A lone exception in Georgia Code §34-1-2 makes it illegal to discriminate against a worker due to their age. However, this only applies to workers between the ages of 40 and 70. A Ringgold FLSA attorney could help people to understand their rights as workers and how to recognize when an employer has taken advantage of them.

Seeking Restitution for an FLSA Violation

Ringgold workers have two paths to seek repayment for FLSA violations that result in lost wages or other such damages. The first involves filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Georgia has no state-level infrastructure in place to investigate or prosecute allegations of wage violations, which means workers in Ringgold must file a complaint with this federal agency instead.

The EEOC has full authority to talk to witnesses, collect paperwork, and conduct investigations of alleged FLSA violations. If the agency finds that a violation happened, they can order the payment of all back wages, file civil penalties against the employer, or even recommend criminal charges.

A downside to this approach is that parties seeking compensation must file a complaint within 180 days of the alleged violation, and an investigation can move slowly after such a complaint is filed.

Filing Suit in U.S. District Court

Another path to recovery lies in filing an independent lawsuit in a United States District Court. This lawsuit will be the sole responsibility of the plaintiff to investigate and pursue. The advantage here is that the case can move more quickly and gives a worker and his or her attorney direct control over every aspect of the claim. However, the plaintiff in a District Court case will not have access to the investigative authority and powers vested in the EEOC.

Filing an EEOC complaint and bringing suit in District Court both have their advantages and disadvantages. An experienced attorney could work with local employees to advise them of their options and identify the path that gives them the best chance for recovery.

Ringgold FLSA Lawyer Can Help

All employers in Ringgold are bound by United States law to pay employees a fair wage for all hours worked. This includes the payment of a minimum hourly wage for all time worked and overtime for all hours worked in excess of 40 in a week.

A Ringgold FLSA lawyer could help you explore your options to collect illegally withheld compensation from your employers. This process may include filing complaints with the EEOC or taking the suit directly to court. Every case is different, and the proper choice depends on many factors, but a qualified attorney could help you choose the best path to success. Call today so we can get started on yours.