You deserve full compensation for the work you’ve put in. In many jobs, this includes an overtime premium starting with the 41st hour in a given week. However, whether intentionally or not, employers across the country often fail to pay workers what they are owed. If you believe that you are receiving the wages you’ve earned, contacting a qualified attorney is a good way to learn about your rights. Many employees don’t do this for a variety of reasons, and frequently move on to a new job before the problem is discovered and remedied.
In cases involving wage and hour misconduct, government authorities can recover funds to compensate victims, but often the individuals are hard to find. As a way to help workers collect the money they deserve, the federal Department of Labor (DOL) maintains a database where employees can search for unclaimed wages. If your employer failed to pay you correctly and the DOL investigated the violation, your unpaid wages may be available for you to claim.
Recently, the DOL reported that nearly $2 million in unclaimed wages is owed to approximately 5,600 workers in Georgia. Nationally, that number climbs to about $170 million owed to 189,000 workers. Many employees are unaware they have money waiting for them due to payment errors, unpaid overtime, or other wage violations. Some of the fields where wage discrepancies are most common include agriculture, construction, hospitality, and federal contract work.
Whether you believe you are owed payment due to a minimum wage violation, your employer’s failure to provide time-and-a-half for overtime, or even a simple payroll error, you should act promptly. However, the DOL website only reports funds that have been collected by the government. Wage violations are more common than many realize, and employees are entitled to fair compensation as defined by federal and state law. If you suspect wage theft or need help recovering unpaid wages, consulting an experienced Georgia wage and hour lawyer gives you the best chance to enforce your employment rights.
The Reddy Law Firm, P.C., represents Georgians in claims arising from wage and hour disputes, as well as other employment law matters. Please call 678-629-3246 or contact us online. Our office is in Alpharetta.
