issues

Unpaid Wages

If your paycheck is short, you may be owed more than you think. We help employees recover unpaid wages and understand their rights.

If you have to work before or after your shift or cover job-related costs, you might not be getting paid everything you’re owed.

 

Companies often don’t pay employees for all of their work time. Those minutes can add up to a lot of unpaid wages, and you might even be owed overtime without realizing it.

Your paycheck should reflect the hours you’ve worked and expenses your employer is supposed to reimburse. If you have to work before or after your shift or cover job-related costs, you might not be getting paid everything you’re owed.

Time Worked Should Equal Time Paid 

If you log work hours, you know how important timekeeping is for making sure you get paid. You should be paid for all the time you actually work, not your scheduled start and end times.

If you have to arrive a few minutes early to prepare your workspace or receive updates from employees whose shift is ending, or finish cleaning up or completing paperwork after your shift ends, that could count as work time.

Another common situation involves unpaid meal breaks. If you’re regularly interrupted by work and you don’t get your full time off, that time may no longer be considered a genuine break and should be paid. These interruptions can include answering calls, responding to emails, or assisting customers.

Unpaid Wages Add Up

You may also be required to use your own cell phone, vehicle, home internet connection or other tools without being reimbursed for the costs. When your employer doesn’t reimburse you for these expenses, it can be a form of wage theft.

In today’s connected world, you may be contacted by text, phone, or email after you’ve left work for the day. Any time you spend responding to work-related communications outside of your paid hours can be considered time that should be compensated. This holds true even if your employer says it has a policy requiring you to be reachable outside of normal work hours.

We’re Here to Help

If you think your paycheck is short, you don’t have to figure it out alone. We can help you understand your rights and get the wages you’ve rightfully earned.

Framing the Issue

  • Wage theft happens in many kinds of jobs, industries, and employers. But you’re especially at risk if you work in food service, health care, or construction, according to U.S. Department of Labor data.
  • Keeping your own records can help protect your paycheck. Write down your hours, breaks, and any work-related expenses. If something doesn’t look right when you get paid, your notes can help you correct mistakes.

Notable Matters

  • Secured a $34 million settlement for hourly employees of CVS, who were allegedly misclassified as workers exempt from overtime requirements.
  • Recovered $6 million for New York employees of Walmart, who alleged the company failed to pay them properly for split shifts and unpaid meal breaks.
  • Won a $4 million settlement for hourly employees of one of the country’s largest home goods retailers, who alleged the company failed to pay them in full by the required payday.
  • Achieved $2.5 million for New York security officers in Frattarola v. Prosegur Security USA, a class action that alleged the company required them to stay past the end of their shifts without pay when an incoming officer was late, did not provide proper wage statements, and withheld contractual benefits.

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Are you expected to respond to work-related calls, emails, or texts outside of your normal work hours?

If you think you’ve been shorted on your pay, we’re ready to fight for your rights.

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