If you suspect you are not being properly paid for your work, this is a serious issue. In an ideal situation, the problem is a computer mistake or oversight, and your employer will fix it right away. But if this isn't the case, your employer may be underpaying you on purpose and may even retaliate when you request that your pay and records be corrected. When this happens, an employment lawyer can protect your rights and fight for full repayment of unpaid wages.
When should you hire an employment lawyer? We can help you navigate this difficult situation.
How to Check If Your Wages are Short
- Compare your pay rate to your employment contract
- Keep personal records of your hours worked
- Note when you clock in and out
- Note when you work overtime
- Compare to your pay stub
First, take notes and check your contract to confirm the situation. A little math can tell you if your wages are short compared to the hours you have worked.
- Keep a protected copy of your notes that your employer can't take or delete
Be sure to keep a safe copy of your personal notes and calculations. Employers have been known to destroy records to hide their wage theft.
Steps to Take if You Are Being Incorrectly Paid
- Request a correction from your manager
- Address the issue with HR
Going through the proper channels might solve the problem. Address the issue with your manager and/or HR to see if they are willing to quickly correct the mistake. They should both provide you with missing back-pay and ensure you are paid properly in the future.
When to Hire an Employment Lawyer for Wage and Hour Disputes
- Your pay rate doesn't match your contract
- Your time records don't match your hours worked
- Your overtime hours are not being paid
- You are being paid the normal rate for overtime
- You are wrongly classified as "exempt" from overtime
If going through the proper channels does not solve the problem, it's time to hire an employment lawyer. The listed situations are all signs of intentional or negligent wage theft. Your time is being stolen and your employer is intentionally breaking the law to steal from you.
- The problem wasn't corrected immediately
- You are being retaliated against for requesting proper pay
- Your employer has destroyed or altered records
an Experienced Wisconsin Employment Lawyer
Contact a lawyer immediately if your employer tries to put you off indefinitely or takes more aggressive action like record destruction or even retaliation against you for speaking up.
Bykhovsky Law is here to defend your right to fair pay, missing back pay, and fair wage policies for you and your coworkers. Contact us today for a CONSULTA GRATUITA to help you navigate wage and hour disputes and fight to regain your missing pay.
