Making the money you need to support yourself and your family and lead a fairly comfortable life can be challenging enough under the best circumstances. When an employer fails to pay you the full amount to which you are entitled, it becomes nearly impossible. Fortunately, an experienced Worcester wage theft and overtime pay dispute attorney can help.
At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we know how intimidating it can be to go up against an employer. Our experienced team of Worcester labor and employment lawyers has a long history of taking on big companies and will ensure your rights are protected. Reach out to us today to set up a free case review with a member of our legal staff.
Common Wage Disputes that Arise Between Employers and Employees
Many types of employment disputes arise between employers and employees. If your employer stole money from you in any manner, you have options for recovering compensation. Some of the wage violation cases we most commonly handle include:
- Failure to pay the minimum wage
- Unpaid overtime
- Misclassification
- Withholding payment
Failure to Pay the Minimum Wage
Employers must abide by all state and federal minimum wage laws when paying their workers. Some cities also have their own minimum wage requirements that must be met. When an employer attempts to pay their workers at a rate below the applicable hourly minimum wage for the region, employees have the right to take legal action to recover compensation.
Unpaid Overtime
In the United States, the standard work week for a full-time employee is 40 hours. If you work over 40 hours within a week for a single employer, they are required to pay you at a rate of 1.5 times your standard hourly wage for all the time you work beyond the 40-hour mark.
Unfortunately, many employers attempt to avoid paying overtime. They may attempt to pay at the standard hourly rate for the extra hours, shift hours worked one week to another so you don’t exceed 40 hours in a given week, or fail to include the extra hours on the employee’s check.
An experienced overtime pay lawyer in Worcester, MA, can help you claim damages.
Misclassification
There are two primary forms of misclassification.
The first one occurs when an employer incorrectly classifies an employee as an independent contract. They do this to avoid paying certain taxes and benefits that must be paid to employees. If the law classifies you as an employee, yet your employer classifies you as an independent contractor, you have the right to pursue legal action to recover compensation.
The second form of misclassification occurs when an employer classifies an hourly worker as a salaried employee in an attempt to avoid paying them correctly for any overtime work they do.
Withholding Payment
There are several ways in which employers withhold payments that should be made to their workers. Some of the most common include:
- Refusing to pay out unused vacation time at the conclusion of your employment
- Withholding your final paycheck
- Failing to pay you the money you are owed for commissions
If you earned money that was withheld in any way, an unpaid wages attorney serving Worcester, MA, can help you recover the money you need.
For a free legal consultation with a wage theft lawyer serving Worcester, call (860) 999-9394
Be Careful to File All Required Documents Before Time Runs Out
When pursuing compensation following losses caused by any form of employer misconduct, you need to be aware of how much time you have to take legal action. The deadline for your case will depend on the specific violation that occurred and can also be affected by the details of your situation.
Hiring an experienced unpaid wages lawyer serving Worcester, MA, as soon as possible is the best way to figure out the exact deadline for your case and ensure that all your paperwork gets filed on time.
Your attorney will determine the deadline that matches the offense committed by your employer and review the details of your case to determine if there are any exceptions that alter the typical filing deadline. They will then complete and submit all the necessary documents well before the cutoff date.
Worcester Wage Theft Lawyer Near Me (860) 999-9394
Available Compensation in a Wage Theft Dispute in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, wage theft victims can recover up to three times the money and benefits that were stolen from them by their employer if they take their case to court and win. Additionally, they may be eligible to receive compensation for any lawyer fees or other legal expenses.
If your employer fired you or in any other way altered your employment situation in connection with you pursuing compensation, the court may also order that your old employment status be reinstated.
An experienced wage theft lawyer in Worcester, MA, will conduct a thorough investigation into your case to gather evidence supporting your claim and proving the fault of your employer. The legal team at Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard is ready to get started on your case today.
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The Groups Most Commonly Victimized by Wage Theft
There are certain groups that are targeted by employers more frequently than others. Undocumented workers and young workers are two of the groups that most commonly find themselves victims of wage theft.
Many employers pay undocumented workers less than the minimum wage because of the fact that these groups are less likely to report employer misconduct than other workers. However, you need to know that your immigration status does not alter your right to be paid a fair wage for the work you do.
Young workers are also commonly victimized because employers understand that they are less likely to know their rights. Not being aware of all the labor laws that apply to them makes them less likely to notice when their rights are violated. An experienced lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against your employer if your rights were violated in any manner.
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Reach Out to an Experienced Wage Theft and Overtime Pay Dispute Attorney in Worcester Today
After losing any money you earned because of wage theft, the best way to improve your odds of recovering the money you lost is by hiring an experienced Worcester wage theft and overtime pay dispute lawyer. At Duddy, Goodwin & Pollard, we will do everything in our power to ensure a favorable result for your case.
Contact us by phone or through our website to schedule a free case review with a member of our legal team today.
Call or text (860) 999-9394 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form