Employees have a right to be compensated for hours worked and deserve the financial rewards that come with going above and beyond the call of duty, such as being paid time-and-a-half for working overtime. Despite strict laws governing how employers are supposed to compensate their employees, employers still fail to pay employees millions of dollars every year. In fact, the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor collected over $220 million for employees who had money wrongfully withheld from them by their employer in 2007.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulates the relationship between employers and employees; it provides the federal standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, compensable hours, employer recordkeeping and the employment of minors. When employers fail to meet these standards or do not comply with sometimes stricter state standards, employees may be able to seek legal action against their employer. An experienced wage and hour attorney can help you understand your rights and provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about how to proceed with your specific situation.
California law also guarantees hourly employees certain basic rights, such as:
- The right to a paid 10-minute rest break every 4 hours or more of work
- The right to an unpaid, uninterrupted 30-minute meal break every 5 hours or more of work
- The right to a second meal break every 10 hours or more of work
- The right to be compensated for work-related expenses, such as vehicle mileage, the cost of uniforms or protective gear and boots, and the cost of tools and equipment
- The right to receive wages on the last day of employment
Moreover, if you are a waitress, bartender or other employee who regularly receives tips, your employer may not share in any tips and may only enforce fair and reasonable tip sharing agreements with other employees like you.
Employees who have been wronged by their employers are sometimes intimidated by the process of taking legal action. Oftentimes, employees do not have large claims to file and wonder if it is worth the time, effort and money it will take to recover money that has been wrongfully withheld by their employer. This is where a class action lawsuit comes in. A wage and hour class action allows an individual to sue for damages on behalf of themselves and others who have suffered similar financial losses caused by their employer. Class actions are a way for an individual to hold their employer accountable for the employer’s actions and ensure that others will be paid fairly in the future. Additionally, although there are no guarantees and it is subject to court approval, those named in class action lawsuits may be eligible to receive additional compensation in appropriate circumstances.
At Salehi & Associates, we take great pride in representing those who have been victimized by their employers. Often, these brave individuals leave a lasting impact on society—creating a more fair work environment for future generations. Wage and hour class actions are complex legal endeavors that demand the skill and expertise of an experienced attorney; it takes experienced judgment and relentless effort to effectively represent a class action. Our team of attorneys is made up of highly qualified attorneys with the diligence and determination to aggressively go after results. With decades of experience representing the best interests of clients in wage and hour class actions, our team is prepared to provide you with the solid legal advice and zealous representation you need.
It does not matter whether you are a current employee or whether you have been laid off or fired or voluntarily left your employment. Regardless of your status, your current or former employer may be liable to you for past due wages and other amounts dating back as long as four years ago. But don’t wait. Contact us as soon as you believe that you are owed money by your current or former employer.
If you believe you may not have received from your employer all of the pay or other benefits to which you are entitled, please call us at 888-371-6259. We’ll make sure you know your rights and fight for the results you deserve.