Wage and Hour Violations and FLSA Law

The workers in the United States enjoy some of the highest protection laws anywhere in the world.  Our system of federal, state, and local oversight is the result of a unique combination of a number of factors, including historical relationships, American work ethic, and the notion that management and labor are both part of the same team and desire the same outcome, that is for the business to succeed.  Our laws are designed to ideally protect workers against lost wages, unpaid overtime, unpaid meal breaks, and working off the clock.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  Although laws like the FLSA are designed to protect the rights of the workers, some unscrupulous employers take advantage of interpretations of the law in order to take advantage of their employees.

Minimum Wage and FLSA Law.

Wage and hour violations are committed by employers who are unfamiliar with or do not respect Fair Labor Standards Act laws. Under the FLSA, federal minimum wage may not be less than $5.15 an hour and overtime pay may not be less than one and one-half times an employee's regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek.

Another common type of abuse is unpaid overtime.  The FLSA spells out very specific guidelines for overtime pay laws, although recent changes have made it easy for employers to avoid paying their workers for the labor they perform.  Thousands of people have lost wages due to unpaid overtime, unpaid meal breaks, and working off the clock.  Furthermore, the changes in the FLSA make it easier for employers to “reclassify” non-exempt employees into exempt categories in order to not compensate them for overtime worked.

Although these standards apply to most people, the FLSA does contain exemptions that can apply to certain types of businesses or certain types of work. The Department of Labor has a Wage and Hour Division that promotes and attains compliance with FLSA standards. The WHD enforces wage and hour standards and investigates violations.

If you or someone you care about is a victim of FLSA wage and hour violations, it is essential that you understand your legal rights. Do not hesitate to discuss your case with our experienced and understanding attorneys. Your decision to contact a reputable lawyer today may provide you with financial benefits tomorrow.