Most everyone will admit that they’d like to get paid a little more for the work they do. But for some people, the sentiment is less of a workplace musing and more of a serious concern.
Dishonest employers that are desperate to save a few bucks can start taking money out of employee paychecks. The wage theft usually starts small – a couple dollars here, a few more there – so it is intentionally hard to notice. Catching and stopping wage theft is usually up to the employee and their vigilance, especially if the illegitimate business practices run all the way to the top of the corporate ladder.
If you suspect your wages are being unfairly cut or you are being underpaid, look for these telltale signs:
- Odd overtime: When it comes to places to hide wage theft, employers may go straight for overtime pay since it requires a little bit of math to sort out. Rather than taking their word that you got what you earned, do the calculations yourself and see if everything adds up. If even just one dollar is missing, someone has some explaining to do.
- Mismanaged: Many retail or customer service jobs will not offer overtime pay to managers in exchange for a higher salary and other benefits. But a dishonest employer might call you a manager without changing your pay or your duties. If you are a manager only in name, it might qualify as wage theft.
- Lacking lunch: Employees often have the right to choose whether or not they want to get a little extra work done while on their lunch break. Employers, however, cannot tell someone to do the same without technically violating employment and wage laws.
- Unscheduled payments: You should be able to rely on getting your paycheck based on a set pay schedule. If you are paid at irregular intervals, your employer might be taken extra time to find out how much money they can extract from your wages before handing them over.
Oftentimes, the most difficult part of a wage dispute is knowing where and how to begin. This is where Moore & Associates steps in and can take over for you. Our Houston employment law attorneys can put 15+ years of experience to good work for your case and pursue justice on your behalf. Request a free case analysis today and we can help you figure out if you have grounds for a lawsuit.
