Employees who haven’t been paid for all of the hours they have worked should seek an employment law attorney. An attorney can be a huge help when it comes to getting the attention of the employer and prompting the employer to pay. Involving an attorney lets an employer know that the employee is serious about protecting his or her legal rights.
Fortunately, most employers are honest and pay their employees what they have earned. However, some unscrupulous employers take advantage of their employees. Many employers will not pay employees wages to which they are entitled, including money for sick time, wages, overtime, bonuses and commissions.
These legal abuses can often happen when workers are scared or vulnerable, such as if they can’t speak English or if they’re in the country illegally. Employers in that situation may believe that their workers will not seek an attorney or aren’t aware of their legal rights. Micha Star Liberty of the Liberty Law Office has significant experience in helping workers in California determine if they have been properly and fully paid.
Another way in which employers mistreat their employees is by mischaracterizing them as independent contractors or managers, so that they do not have to provide them with legal protections and overtime under Federal and California law. This is illegal. Employers who do this can be held liable for overtime and back pay.
Some common situations in which workers are fully paid include when workers aren’t paid properly for overtime, when they aren’t paid for all of their hours, when they aren’t reimbursed for business expenses, when they aren’t relieved of all duties during a meal break, when they aren’t given meal and rest periods, when they don’t receive all of their vacation pay, when vacation days aren’t carried over from year to year, when they aren’t paid for unused vacation days when leaving the job, or when they aren’t paid all wages due for bonuses, commissions, or other wages when leaving the job.
Micha Star Liberty of Liberty Law believes in standing up for the rights of employees who have not been paid all wages to which they are entitled. If your legal rights have been violated by your employer, such as if you have been forced to work off the clock, haven’t been paid property wages, have been prevented from taking breaks, and more, you may be entitled to legal help. Call Micha Star Liberty of Liberty Law. She can help you protect your legal rights, which in some cases may involve a lawsuit, settlement negotiations, or filing a complaint with authorities.
Micha Star Liberty of Liberty Law represents both individuals and groups in a variety of wage violation lawsuits and can help you determine whether you are being fully compensated at your job. Give us a call at 415-896-1000 or 510-645-1000. We serve clients in the San Francisco area, including Hayward, Tracy, Oakland, Berkeley, Fairfield and the surrounding areas. Call today for a free consultation on your case.