Companies should always pay workers what they are owed. But things do not always work the way they should, and sometimes employees conflict with their employers on the hours they worked and the wages they are owed. When discussion and internal processes do not settle the conflict, lawyers are often brought in. Here are some relevant laws and best practices to keep in mind when considering an hour or wage dispute.
Fair Labor Standards Act and Your Rights
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governs many aspects of wage and hour disputes. The FLSA dictates rules such as minimum wage and overtime eligibility. Employers run afoul of the FLSA when they force employees to work off-the-clock and withhold wages that are clearly owed. They also violate the law when they flout overtime rules, failing to pay time-and-a-half when it was owed or manipulating an employee’s hours so they fall under 40-hour workweek rules. Fortunately for both sides, the FLSA also includes record-keeping requirements which show how much an employee has worked and how much they are owed. Record-keeping allows for a paper trail which can provide support for or against claims made by either side in a wage and hour dispute.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
If you feel you have been unfairly treated in a wage dispute or an hour dispute, make sure that you know your rights. As an employee, compare your treatment and your complaint with the regulations provided by law. Make sure that you have documented evidence to support your claims. Written, audio, or video records, along with signed timesheets and pay stubs, will all help your case. If you have these records and feel as though your case has merit, contact an experienced lawyer at the LAW OFFICE OF MITCHELL B. HANNAH, who are experienced in California wage law, and they will walk you through the lawsuit process and lay out your options.
You need a partner you can trust in cases where you are fighting against a large company with vast resources, and the legal professionals at the LAW OFFICE OF MITCHELL B. HANNAH is that kind of experienced, committed partner that you need.