State and federal regulations define the issues of wages. There can be a number of rules that govern the cases of unpaid wages or minimum wage issues. If you have issues related to unpaid wages then hiring a lawyer can be helpful for you. An unpaid wages attorney can help you if your employer hasn’t paid fully or is withholding your wage.
Here’s why you may need an unpaid wages attorney.
Issues related to Unpaid Wages
Unpaid wages can be any due amount that your employer owes you for the work you have already done.
If you have been working overtime then your employer needs to pay you the overtime hourly rate as per your state laws. If not then you can take legal action against your employer.
If you are not paid the minimum wage as per the regulations and laws then you are entitled to receive the due amount. If your employer refuses to pay you then you can hire an unpaid wages attorney to handle your case.
Accrued vacation time needs to be reimbursed in cash. Work-related travel (other than commuting) is a situation that requires that your employer reimburses you. Any time you spend in the workplace (related to your work) that takes up time and eats into your working hours requires payment from your employer.
Unpaid bonuses, unpaid commissions, or non-payment of wages in certain months in a year are valid issues for which employees can sue the employer.
But handling such situations can be tricky. You need to know for sure if you can take any legal action for the money owed to you by your employer and how. An unpaid wage attorney can assess your case and let you know if you have a solid case or not.
If your employer uses your tips to make up for your hourly rates then you can take legal action to reclaim your lost money. If you are forced to work on wages that is not right as per the law, you can take legal action to remedy the situation.
Employers can even retaliate against you if you threaten to take legal action for unpaid wages. Your employer may fire you in retaliation, demote you, or even embarrass you in the workplace in front of others.
It is not possible to deal with such situations without a lawyer by your side.
Options for Legal Action
You may have more than one option to handle the issue of unpaid wages. Your lawyer can guide you about the right step to take at the right time. Your lawyer may recommend negotiations as the first option before filing lawsuits.
Negotiations can be less time-consuming and considerably less stressful too. Court cases and lawsuits can be expensive and even drag for years. The lawsuits need to be worth their while in terms of the due amount and what you can expect to win in terms of compensation if any.
Your lawyer can even negotiate with your employer on your behalf. Negotiations outside the court by attorneys can prove to be very effective for employees.
Your attorney can also inform you about the time frame for filing lawsuits for unpaid wages. These time limitations vary from state to state. What is applicable in California may not be applicable in another state. So, it is important to file the lawsuits as per the law. If you delay it you might lose the opportunity to earn your wages that is rightfully yours by law.
Everyone has the right to earn wages due to them as per the law. You have options to take legal action to fight for your rights. If you do so with a good unpaid wages attorney then you have sure chances of winning the case.
You can schedule a free consultation with an unpaid wages attorney and ask for an assessment of your case. It will help you to not do something at work (for instance, threatening the employer) that can derail your case. The right legal guidance is also crucial when handling the matter of unpaid wages at work.