Ringgold Wage Theft Lawyer
Wage theft is a widespread issue that refers to employers forcing employees to work for less than they are entitled to legally receive, or worse, to work for no wages at all. Employers have a lot of control over your schedule and job duties at work, but they do not have as much control over how you are paid.
If you are dealing with any form of wage theft, it may be time to consult a Ringgold wage theft lawyer. Our dedicated group of employment lawyers has been working to combat wage theft for years and can help.
What is Wage Theft?
Wage theft is an unlawful employment practice that happens when employers do not pay their employees the full amount of the wages they have earned. Employers may be held liable for wage theft if they:
- Violate minimum wage laws
- Deny overtime compensation
- Misclassify an employee
- Do not pay for “off the clock” work
- Deduct from employee paychecks
- Withhold payment
These examples of wage theft will likely violate the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a federal law that establishes comprehensive guidelines for a wide range of wage and hour issues. Most Ringgold employees are afforded legal protections under the FLSA. However, certain categories of workers, such as independent contractors, are exempt from the FLSA safeguards.
Employees should verify that their role has been correctly classified. Misclassifying an employee so that they are exempt under the FLSA and therefore not entitled to receive a minimum wage or overtime is a form of wage theft. For more information, retain the services of a seasoned Ringgold wage theft lawyer today.
Wage Theft by Denying Overtime
Overtime violations are prevalent in the workplace. The FLSA mandates that workers who work more than 40 hours in a consecutive seven-day period, or workweek, are entitled to overtime compensation. Overtime should be paid at a rate not less than 1.5 times the employee’s standard pay rate. Refusal of an employer to observe these overtime requirements with respect to an employee covered by the FLSA could leave the employer exposed to a potential wage theft claim.
Minimum Wage Violations and Filing a Claim
Employees are generally entitled to receive either state or federal minimum wage depending on which one is higher. The minimum wage in Ringgold does not exceed the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, so non-exempt employees should receive at least this hourly pay. If employers are not adhering to minimum wage guidelines, it may be a case of wage theft.
Employees may file wage theft claims alleging violations of the FLSA with the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor. A detail-oriented Ringgold wage theft lawyer can assist employees with the claim process. The nature of the claim and how many violations it involves will impact the length of the process.
Off the Clock Work
If an employer asks an employee to come into work early, stay after their scheduled shift, or work from home, they should compensate the employee for this time. Not only should this time be compensated, but it should also count toward the accumulation of overtime hours.
Reaching Out to a Ringgold Wage Theft Attorney
If you have concerns about your compensation, reach out to a wage theft lawyer. We know how frustrating it can feel when your paycheck does not match the time you have worked and we want to help. A Ringgold wage theft lawyer is glad to provide you with a complimentary initial case evaluation.
