The Fair Labor Standards Act protects employees from employer wage violations. If you haven’t been paid all the money you’ve earned at work, you may be eligible to file a claim against your employer for violating wage laws. The Monterey County employment law attorneys at Polaris Law Group have put together the most common ways employers violate wage laws.
Hours Violations
When an employer fails to pay an employee for every hour worked, they have violated a wage law. Examples of hour violations include:
- Working “off the clock”—this may involve working before or after clocking in or out.
- Working through meal or rest breaks
- Taking required training programs and classes outside of work hours
- Traveling for work
- Waiting time that the employee spent on the employer’s premises
Minimum Wage Violations
Employees must earn at least the minimum wage for every hour they work. The federal minimum wage is $7.25. However, some local governments have a higher minimum wage—if this is the case, you are entitled to receive the highest minimum wage applicable.
Underpaying Tipped Employees
Employers are allowed to pay employers a lower minimum wage ($2.13 an hour) when they earn tips that at least add up to the regular minimum wage. If the employee doesn’t accumulate enough tips, the employer must make up the difference.
Unpaid Vacation Time
Employers aren’t legally required to give their employees paid vacation, but if they choose to offer this benefit, they must pay out any time an employee doesn’t use it. This means employers must pay employees for unused vacation time when the employee leaves the company.
Monterey County Unpaid Wages Attorneys
If you think you’ve been underpaid for your work or you think your employer has violated wage laws, you need an experienced attorney on your side. Our Monterey County unpaid wages lawyer has years of experience helping employees fight for their rights. Our team has a complete understanding of the various federal and state laws that protect you as an employer. If you need guidance with an unpaid wage case, our team is ready to help.
Contact our Monterey County unpaid wages attorney today at (888) 796-4010 to schedule a consultation!