In the United States, certain laws have been put in place in order to protect employees from their employers. Before these laws were enacted workers were often taken advantage of and forced to work under grueling conditions. If you’re a worker and you feel you’re being mistreated, it’s important to understand that you have your rights.
For starters, the Wage And Hour Law requires that certain employees get paid for working overtime. It’s not uncommon for certain workers to do more than their fair share. A worker’s normal schedule may require them to work 40 hours on weekdays. In this case, if you find yourself clocking more than 40 hours regularly, your employer will need to pay you for every extra hour clocked. However, it’s important to know whether or not you’re an exempt worker; if you’re exempt, your employer may not be required to pay you for any extra hours.
Are you being paid less than minimum wage? When it comes to the Wage And Hour Law, your employer may be allowed to pay you less than you think. Although the law requires employers to pay workers at least minimum wage, you could be paid less per hour if you receive tips. It’s not uncommon for workers, with certain jobs, to receive tips from customers and patrons. If you’re receiving quite a few tips, your employer might be able to pay you less than the state or federal laws allow.
Have you been hired for a job that requires you to train for a certain period of time? Some jobs require workers to partake in training programs before they officially begin working. Unfortunately, if you’re not paid for this training it means that your employer is receiving free labor. The law now requires employers to pay their employees for participating in required training programs.
These are just a few of the requirements covered under the wage and hour laws. Again, check with a lawyer or your employer to make sure you’re eligible to receive pay for any extra hours worked. If you’re receiving regular tips while working, your employer may want to pay you less than minimum wage, and the law may allow this. Lastly, if you’re being required to attend training programs, you should be paid for this time as well.
For more information visit The Law Offices of Filteau & Sullivan.
