Are you being paid for your overtime?

It is a sad truth that many employers cheat their workers out of their due wages. Such employees often have to struggle to get their hard-earned money. If you are amongst such workers, following are few tips that will help you fight for your rights and ensure that you are paid for your work-

• Keep track of your working hours. Do not rely on the employer that he would tell you the exact working hours.
• Every workplace makes their employees sign a contract. To be on the safe side, you should keep a copy of the contract with you. This will help you ensure your rights, if company breaches the contract.
• Company also has their policy and procedure manual. You should make sure you have one with you. This will give you a thorough knowledge of the dos and don’ts of your company’s policy.
• Never hesitate to ask wages for your extra working hours. Also, ask your colleagues whether they were paid for every extra work they put in. In case, you find evidence of discrimination then contact an unpaid wages lawyer.
• Always voice your concern, if you are not being paid for your work. If done unintentionally or due to some mistake, employer will definitely remedy the problem.
• If verbal communication does not solve your problem, then you must make a formal complaint through an e-mail or a memo. The written complain should include date and time so that you have a proof of it, in case the employer claims that he was not informed by you before.
• At times of written complain, employer may use a trick of changing your job responsibilities, in order to prove that you were being exempt from your duties. In such cases too, you have the right to claim your past overtime wages. 

From the aforementioned tips will help you handle such issues, if employer does not pay your wages.

If you are not able to handle such issue on your own, seeking help from an overtime lawyer is advisable. Discuss your case with the attorney and make sure all paper work is completed. The paper work should include detailed list of working hours with other points, after all the wages will be calculated on the bases of working hours.