Has your boss ever asked you to “work off the clock”? Do you think you’re entitled to overtime pay but haven’t received the proper compensation for your work? Were you promised vacation but have yet to be paid for your time off? You might be a victim of wage theft, and you should consider whether pursuing your case is the right move.
What Is Wage Theft?
In short, wage theft is when an employer does not pay an employee the proper amount of money for the employee’s work. Both Federal and State Law require that employees who are not exempt receive overtime and at least minimum wage for their work. Employers that do not pay their workers minimum wage (which increased to $8.46 in Florida on January 1, 2019), don’t pay overtime to non-exempt employees, don’t pay or allow time for breaks as mandated under Federal Law, or don’t pay for travel required by work have committed wage theft, and you could be entitled to compensation. In the example of overtime pay, some employers even misclassify their workers as salaried employees to avoid paying time-and-a-half.
How an Attorney Can Help
Proving wage theft in Florida can be difficult because the laws governing the workplace are often complicated. With the help of an attorney, however, you can learn whether you have a case and what your options are for pursuing compensation for your employer’s illegal activities.
Hiring a lawyer can also help protect you from retaliation from your employer for filing a suit against them. In Florida, retaliation includes firing or demotion, assigning shifts to the employee that do not work with their schedule, reducing work hours, and reassigning the employee’s responsibilities to other workers. All of these actions are illegal, but with an attorney by your side, you can protect yourself.
Speaking to an attorney can also give you a better sense of what the outcome of your case might be. For instance, an attorney who is well-versed in employment law can tell you whether you have a good chance of winning a lawsuit or whether you should try to settle. Your attorney will also work with you to determine how much pursuing your case might cost and whether the amount you hope to win will be worth the time, effort, and money.
Above all else, meeting with an attorney to discuss your case will help you make an informed decision about your wage theft case. No matter what you do for a living, you deserve to be paid for your work.
Contact Pacin Levine Attorneys at Law to Learn What to Do Next
If you think you are a victim of wage theft and want to weigh your options, contact an employment attorney at Pacin Levine Attorneys at Law today. We will give you all the information you need to make the important decision of whether to pursue your case with a lawsuit.
