Our Blog

Are You a Victim of Wage Theft?

Posted on Wednesday June 09, 2021

Many employees experience wage theft in many different ways, and these individuals deserve to be compensated for all of their unpaid wages. Speak with a California unpaid wages lawyer about a possible case as soon as possible.

Whether an employer makes an honest mistake or intentionally violates the law, wage theft can result in serious losses for employees. Too often, an employee might not even realize they experienced wage theft, as this violation can take many forms. A California unpaid wages lawyer can evaluate your situation and advise you whether your employer owes you money for unpaid wages or benefits. 

Examples of Wage Theft

There are many different laws that protect an employee’s right to certain payment in California, and there are many ways that employers violate these laws. Some examples of how wage theft might occur include:

1. Receiving less than the current state or local minimum wage for all hours worked
2. Failing to pay overtime or double time rates when required by law
3. Misclassifying employees as exempt or independent contractors
4. Not letting employees take required meal or rest breaks or requiring employees to be “on call” or work during breaks
5. Having deductions from your paycheck that were not authorized
6. Managers or owners taking an employee’s tip earnings
7. Not getting all wages that your employer promised, including hourly wages, bonuses, commissions, or piece-rate pay
8. Not receiving reimbursement for reasonable business expenses
9. Not receiving premiums for split shifts
10. Not letting employees take paid sick leave that they accrued
11. Failing to pay for unused accrued vacation time
12. Not providing the final paycheck in the proper time period
13. Having paychecks that are late or that bounce

Employers also can violate wage laws by refusing to allow employees to access payroll records and other files. If you think that your employer might have engaged in any of the above behaviors, you might have unpaid wages you deserve, and you should reach out to a trusted employment attorney. 

Taking Action for Wage Theft

Sometimes, an employer simply makes an error, and they are willing to correct it when we contact them about your unpaid wages. Other times, however, employers deny the problem, which requires us to file an unpaid wages complaint. Even worse, some employees experience unlawful retaliation by an employer for complaining of possible wage theft. 

We will need to gather and present the proper documentation and evidence to prove that your employer did, in fact, commit wage theft. The evidence needed will vary depending on the specific issues and claims in your situation. We know how to build your case in order to bring your strongest claim for unpaid wages. We also bring claims on behalf of multiple employees who suffered the same type of wage theft from the same employer. 

Speak with Our California Unpaid Wages Lawyers Today

If you believe your employer has committed wage theft in any way, you should speak to an attorney as soon as you can. At Mara Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping employees obtain the compensation they are owed and holding employers accountable. We will review your case at no cost to you. To schedule a free consultation with a wage theft lawyer in California, call (619) 234-2833 or contact us online.