Many people are struggling to live in today’s economy. More people are working several jobs at once to make ends meet. If an employee makes even a smidge less than they are due, it could mean struggling to pay bills or purchase food.
Wage theft is a serious issue for many employees. Wage theft is not always obvious. Here are some examples:
1. No pay for overtime work
In California, employees are paid one and one-half their typical pay if they work extra hours. An employee would be paid overtime if they work more than 8 hours in a day, more than 40 hours in a workweek or if they continue to work into the seventh work day. An employee should receive double their normal wage if they work more than 12 hours in a day or after working past eight hours on the seventh consecutive work day. Anything less would be considered wage theft.
2. Asked to work off the clock
An employer may try to convince their employee to work past their normal hours without pay. Even if an employee agrees to work the extra hours, they may still be entitled to overtime pay. The employer could be violating employment laws by making an employee work off the clock.
3. Being classified as exempt or contracted
Employees have certain classifications. Some of these classifications can limit employee rights and benefits. For example, an exempt employee may not receive overtime pay. Likewise, a contracted employee may not receive overtime pay and other benefits, such as workers’ compensation and medical coverage. An employer may try to limit an employee’s rights and steal wages by misclassifying them.
4. Having your wages reduced for uniforms
Most employers have to pay for uniforms out of pocket. An employer who does not believe they should pay for their employees’ uniforms or other expenses may try to reduce their employees’ pay to pay for these expenses. However, reducing an employee’s wage may violate their rights.
If you or someone you know is a victim of wage theft, legal guidance can help educate you on your options.