The Benefits of Hiring a Wage & Hour Attorney for Workers Advocacy

As an employee, you deserve fair compensation for your time and effort. Unfortunately, navigating the complex world of wage and hour laws can be overwhelming, leaving many workers feeling underpaid and undervalued.

That’s why hiring a dedicated wage & hour attorney can make all the difference in advocating for your rights as an employee. In this blog post, we’ll explore what a wage and hour attorney does, how they can help you fight back against unfair pay practices, and the many benefits of having one on your side. So if you’re ready to take charge of your career – read on!

Introduction

The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and many state laws establish minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in federal, state, and local governments. 

The FLSA covers most private, non-farm employees as well as some public employees. Employers who violate the FLSA are subject to civil and criminal penalties. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is responsible for enforcing the FLSA with respect to private employers and other covered entities. 

State laws governing wages, hours, and reporting pay often differ from the FLSA. For example, some states have higher minimum wage rates than the federal level, or provide additional protections not available under federal law (e.g., paid sick leave). In addition, certain executive, administrative, professional, outside sales employees, computer systems analysts, programmers, software engineers or other similarly skilled workers may be exempt from both the FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime requirements if they earn at least $455 per week on a salary basis or $27.63 per hour on an hourly basis. 

If an employee is covered by both state and federal law, the employer must comply with the provisions of each law that provides greater protection to the employee. An attorney specializing in wage & hour laws can help you determine which law(s) applies to your situation and whether you.

The Importance of Hiring a Wage & Hour Attorney

There are a lot of employees out there who don’t know their rights when it comes to wage and hour laws. These laws are designed to protect workers from being taken advantage of by their employers. Unfortunately, many employers try to skirt the law in order to save money. This can result in employees not being paid for all the hours they’ve worked, or not being paid overtime.

A wage & hour attorney can help make sure that workers are getting paid what they’re entitled to under the law. They can also help employees recover lost wages if they’ve been wrongfully denied them. This can be a huge relief for workers who are struggling to make ends meet.

Common Types of Violations

There are many types of wage and hour violations that can occur in the workplace. Some of the more common violations include:

Not paying employees for all the hours they worked: Employees must be paid for all the hours they work, including overtime hours if they are eligible.

Not paying employees the correct rate of pay: Employees must be paid the hourly rate they are entitled to, which may be higher for overtime hours. In some cases, employers may try to classify workers as exempt from overtime pay, when they should be classified as nonexempt.

Docking employee pay: Employers cannot dock an employee’s pay for breaks that were not actually taken, or for time spent working off the clock.

Not providing proper meal and rest breaks: Employers must provide employees with adequate break time for meals and rest, and failure to do so can result in significant penalties.

Not reimbursing employees for work-related expenses: Employers must reimburse employees for any work-related expenses they incur, such as travel costs or the cost of tools and equipment.

How to Find a Reputable Wage & Hour Attorney

When an employee is not paid the proper wages for their work, or is not given the proper hours to work, they may face many legal consequences. To avoid these penalties, it is important to consult with a reputable wage & hour attorney.

There are many ways to find a reputable wage & hour attorney. One way is to ask other employees who may have gone through a similar experience. Another way is to research online and read reviews from past clients. Additionally, the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) can help connect workers with experienced employment lawyers in their area.

Once you have found a few potential attorneys, be sure to schedule a consultation so that you can discuss your specific case and see if they would be a good fit for you.

Conclusion

If you’re experiencing any wage and hour violations, it’s important to seek assistance from a knowledgeable attorney. A skilled wage & hour attorney can help protect your rights as an employee and ensure that you receive the compensation owed to you. With their experience in employment law, they have the knowledge to navigate all of the intricate details involved in advocating on behalf of workers’ interests.

While no one should be subject to unfair labor practices, having a wage & hour lawyer will provide peace of mind that your case is being addressed correctly.

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