New Orleans, LAHIGH 64°F
LOW 52°F
New Orleans, LAHIGH 64°F
LOW 52°F
Take Action Against Wage Theft
Fight back against wage theft
Wage theft is a serious problem that happens when workers are not paid all their wages, workers are denied earned overtime pay, or workers aren’t paid at all for work they’ve performed.
The Fair Labor Standards Act established minimum wage and overtime regulations, which employers are required to adhere to. Wage theft is when an employer violates this law and deprives a worker of legally earned wages.
Ways to Protect Yourself
- Make sure that you are being paid what you are supposed to when you are supposed to. Do not allow your employer to delay your pay or only pay you partially.
- Do not allow your employer to take advantage of you just because you are an undocumented worker. Undocumented workers are protected under the Fair Labor and Standards Act.
- Don’t accept a job for less than minimum wage. The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour ($2.13 for tipped employees).
- Don’t work overtime for free, if you are an hourly employee. Some employers will claim that an employee’s position is exempt from overtime laws when they really aren’t.
- Know exactly what is being withheld from your paycheck and make sure that your employer isn’t taking out more than they should. Have your HR person or supervisor explain any deductions that you have questions about.
- Don’t allow your employer to demand that you pay high costs for room and board, monetary fines for workplace violations, or any similar charges.
What to do if You Believe You Have Been a Victim of Wage Theft
Contact the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor. You can also contact your state’s Department of Labor. Take a look at this list for state by state contact information.
The organization Interfaith Worker Justice also works to assist employees who have been the victim of wage theft. You should also take a look at their virtual toolkit on wage theft.
