There is just enough nuance in overtime law for workers to find the rules confusing. Typically, hourly workers have a right to overtime wages, but those paid on a salary basis often do not receive overtime pay. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, as those...
Key examples of potential wage theft
As an employee, you certainly know that wage theft is detrimental to you on numerous levels, and you hope that it never happens. However, you may also see reports making claims that wage theft is the biggest type of theft in the United States or a bigger issue than...
Why your employer is responsible for harassment outside work
Many employees – and even many employers – think that an organization is only responsible for sexual harassment when it occurs in the workplace or at least during the workday or at a work-related event like a company picnic or holiday party. In fact, employers’...
Understanding a hostile work environment and your rights
Hostile work environments occur when inappropriate behavior results in harassment that makes employees feel unsafe and makes it impossible or hard for them to do their job. From a legal standpoint, workplace harassment is a type of employment discrimination. ...
Can your boss tell you to clock out and then return to work?
You want your employer to feel like you are an invaluable member of the team. You likely listen to what your manager requests of you and try to put the company's needs first while you are on the clock. Unfortunately, businesses often don't reward that kind of loyalty....
2 tricks employers use to deny workers overtime pay
Your right to overtime pay comes from state and federal rules. The law is clear that workers who put in more than 40 hours in a specific workweek should receive at least one-and-a-half times their typical hourly wage for those additional hours. Workers are often...
How to file a wage claim for unpaid wages
Unfortunately, unpaid wages are a common problem in the workforce. The problem persists, especially with blue-collar workers. According to the Economic Policy Institute, workers lose an estimated $15 billion in minimum wage violations. However, wage theft is not only...
Is your boss making your work life difficult?
You’ve always held yourself to the highest professional standard, and you’ve been delivering results for your company for years. Recently, there’s been a reshuffle in management positions and your new boss seems to have taken a dislike to you. Why might this be the...
Does my employer have to pay me for overtime that isn’t pre-authorized?
You stayed past your regular work hours to finish up some paperwork. But, when you receive your paycheck, you notice that your boss adjusted your time and the extra pay is not showing up. You ask your boss, and they tell you that all overtime needs pre-authorization....
Can your employer change your timecard to reduce your pay?
Your timecard is your record of how long you have worked. The entries you make on it indicate when you start and end your shifts. Your employer will then have to pay you according to how long you worked during each pay period. Sometimes, what a worker enters on their...