Is Your Employer Paying You Your Rightful Wages?

There is no denying the fact that many employers try to avoid paying their workers for the extra working hours. This is the reason why many employees have to struggle for their rightful wages.

If you do not want to face such a situation, then here are some tips that you should follow that will ensure that you get paid for every single minute you have worked -

• Always keep a record of your working hours. This will help you to keep track of your total working hours and total wages that you have received based on your working hours.

• Keep a copy of the workplace policy and procedure manual with you. The manual describes the pay rate, working hours and rules for overtime wages. This will be needed by your lawyer, if you face wage violation.
  

• In case, you haven’t received your overtime wages, ask your colleagues about their overtime wages. If they have been paid for the extra working hour then there might be the case that you are a victim of some discrimination.

• If you are a victim of wage violation and you have sent a written notification to your employer, then first see whether your employer agrees to pay the wages.

• If the employer does not rectify the mistake, then keep a record of your e-mail or a memo. This will help you during your case as the employer might make an excuse that they did not receive any notification from your side.

• There are chances that after receiving your notification, your employer may change your job responsibilities to make you an exempt employee. But you should not worry, as you are still entitled to claim your overtime wages. 
  
  

In case, you face wage violation then you should contact an overtime law firm. The lawyer will fight for your rights and help you get your rightful wages.

Moreover, keeping a track of all the aforementioned things will help you to get things in your favor and receive rightful wages from your employer without prolonged litigation.

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2 Questions To Ask Your Employer To Avoid Overtime Related Issues

According to the law, most workers are entitled to be paid for each hour they spend working over 40 hours in a regular workweek. However, overtime related issues are still one of the most common wage related problems that employees face. Employers may use various tricks to pass up the payment of overtime.

But, you can avoid these issues. How? Before starting a job, you must ask your employers the following questions.

1.       Is your occupation exempt from overtime?

First thing you need to clear with your employers is whether the job you are joining is exempt from overtime laws or not. You should know that many occupations fall under this exemption category, which makes those employees exempt from fair wages. By clearing this fact, you can ensure that you will be paid for the extra hours (If any).

 2.       What is included in overtime?

This should be your next question. You should know what is included in the overtime category. Whether you are told to come to office few minutes earlier (before log in) or to stay late to complete your work, you are entitled to the payment for those extra hours.

Some employers trick workers into working before they log in or after they log out, so that there is no evidence of extra hours’ worked. But, employees should know that it still falls under overtime and they should get paid for those hours and work.

Before you start working on a job, you should clear up the above mentioned points with your employers. If you are still facing issues in getting paid for those extra hours, then you should raise questions regarding it with your employer or higher authorities in the company.

If you do not get justice from your company, then you should consult an unpaid overtime lawyer. The attorney can provide you legal counsel regarding this situation. They can also help you find out the best possible method of getting your unpaid overtime.

   

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Tips to make sure you are paid for every single working hour

There is no denying the fact that some employers cheat their workers and do not pay them properly. If you or your dear ones have ever faced such injustice, in spite of working off the clock, then you have all the rights to sue the employer for your wages.

 

If you are not sure, whether your employer is paying you for your complete working hours or not, then here are few tips to adhere, in order to get your rightful wages-

• Keep record of your working hours. Many employers make improper adjustments in the working hours of the employee in order to save their few bucks. You should not rely upon them completely because if you need to sue them later on, you will need to show your working hour records.
• Different workplace has different policies and procedures. At the time of joining, worker has to sign the manual. To be on the safe side, workers should keep one copy of the manual with them. This is because often employers contradict with the policies mentioned in the manual.
• Additional records proving you have worked overtime must be collected. This will also prove to be great evidence when filing a lawsuit against the employer.
• Maintain copy of your paystubs. This will also prove to be of great help, when needed to file a case against the employer.
• Colleagues who are also not being paid for their overtime can also prove to be good corroborator for your case.
• In order to get rightful compensation, you must contact an overtime lawyer who is well versed with employee rights. Discuss your case with an experienced lawyer. You should provide him all the evidences related to your working hours and manual of the employment law firm. In case, you do not have any evidence, then also the lawyer will guide you and help you get fair compensation.

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Employers’ wage schemes that every employee should be aware of

What an employee wants after working long hours for employer? To be paid fairly. You may not be aware of this but many employers use various tricks, schemes and methods aimed at deceiving their workers when it comes to wages. They trick employees into obtaining wages lower than what they truly deserve.

However, here is how employers scheme employers into getting less salary or no overtime. You should be aware –

If they are making you work before sign in or after sign off – You are entitled to get overtime if you are still finishing work after working hours or you started before signing in. If your boss is making you work even after signing off or before signing in, then you must claim overtime. It is a common trick that one uses to get a job done without paying a single penny.

If they are not paying you appropriately for overtime hours – You should be aware of the fact that overtime rate is time and a half of the hours. If you are not getting this rate for your extra hours’ work, then you should claim fair wages. Sometimes, companies pay simple salaries along with tips instead of appropriate overtime. It is against the law and a violation of your wage related rights.

Some bosses may tell you that you are not entitled for overtime since you are being paid on the salary basis. You must check if you fit in the overtime category according to regulations.

If they are making you work even in breaks or lunch – Many employers make their workers complete tasks in breaks or lunch time. It makes you entitled for overtime, which is usually not paid by bosses. You should be aware of these schemes to avoid getting tricked.

If there are illegal deductions in your salary – You should be aware of any deduction in your salary. You must demand answers from bosses if there are illegal deduction in your payment. Many employers deduct employees’ salaries illegally for invalid reasons like improper or missing uniform.

If you are a victim of any of the above mentioned situations, then you must contact an unpaid wages lawyer to know about your legal options. Your lawyer can suggest you the best legal action in these situations, so that you can claim your rightful payment.

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Wage and hour obligations that your Employer Must Comply with

Every employee deserves fair pay, but increasing incidents of wage theft tell different story. Many employers use a number of tricks to violate their wage and hour obligations in order to have that extra money in their account. If you do not want to become such victim, you need to ensure that your employer is abiding by the following-

Recordkeeping- An employer is responsible for precisely maintaining the record of actual work hours for every employee. It is essential for every employer to ensure that the records of an employee’s work hours are secure and are accessible whenever required. Thus, you should ensure that your employer is doing that, whether your employer uses a time sheet, time clock or computerized time clock for that.

Fair Pay- It is essential for an employer to ensure that every employee is paid fairly, which means that employer has to comply with the minimum wages and overtime requirements properly. It is equally important to ensure that all employees are receiving equal pay and no one is discriminated with incorrect pay compared to what other workers are getting.

Correct Classification- one of the main tricks that employers use to avoid paying overtime is by misclassifying their employees. They misclassify their workers as exempt when in actual they are not. Hence, it is necessary for you ensure that your employer has classified you correctly based on your salary and job responsibilities.

In case, you have become victim of the wage and hour violations, it is important for you to get in touch with a lawyer for unpaid wages. You can get your case evaluated from a professional lawyer for no cost, as they offer free consultation and charge no fee until they win the case for you. Your lawyer will fight to help your protect your rights and get you all lost wages that you are entitled to receive. It is all about your employee rights and there is no place for any compromises.

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Are you sure that you are getting fair pay at work?

All employees are entitled to receive fair pay regardless of whether they are paid by the hour, are part time or even salaried. Unfortunately, many employers use different tricks to keep the hard-earned money of their employees in their account. Increasing numbers of incidents associated with wage and hour violations is a wakeup call for every employee.

Hence, it is essential for every employee to be aware of their rights as well as the tricks used by employers to commit wage theft. Some of common tricks that employers use to violate wage and hour violations are-

• Employers could ask their employees to work “off the clock”. Such work can be anything like warming up a piece of equipment or helping other workers to end their shift. There you need to remember that it is illegal and you are entitled to receive pay for such activities.
• Many employees ask their workers to do work related activities when they are on their mandatory meals, which is against the law. No employer can ask you to work while on your mandatory 30 minute meal break.
• You are entitled to receive overtime for all hours worked over 40 in a working week. But employers use tricks such as misclassification of the employee or unapproved overtime to prevent overtime payment. If it is happening to you, it means you are not getting a fair pay.
• Many employees have limited information about their rights and employers take advantage of that by telling them that pre-shift and post-shift work is not compensable. Remember, you should get paid for every work related activity.
• You must receive at least the minimum wages set by the law from your employer. However, some employers do pay workers below the standard hourly rate that is illegal and one can take legal actions against it.

Hence, if you believe that you are not getting a fair pay and your employer is violating your employee rights, you must get in touch with a professional FLSA overtime attorney. These experts can evaluate and process your case without any fee, as you do not need to pay them until they win the case for you.

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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.

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