What-You-Can-Do-When-You-Think-Youre-Not-Being-Paid-Properly.jpg (2149×1159)If you’re like most employees, your job probably isn’t easy. But when you think you’re being cheated on your wages, it can be especially frustrating. Unfortunately, sometimes employees aren’t properly paid or reimbursed for expenses for uniforms or other work-related costs. In some cases, workers aren’t paid for meal breaks or rest breaks. Here’s what you need to do if you think you’re not being paid properly at work, along with how a good employment lawyer can help you.

Not Being Paid for Meal Breaks

One of the main examples of an employee being treated wrongly is not being paid for meal breaks. The United States Department of Labor has different state laws for adult employees who work in the private sector or non-profit businesses.

In California, employees are entitled to ½ hour meal breaks after they’ve worked for five hours. The exception is when they only work six hours or less in a workday, and both the employer and employee have mutually agreed to waive meal breaks. If you work for longer than 10 hours a day, your employer has to give you a second meal break that’s at least 30 minutes long.

Unpaid Rest Breaks

Not getting paid rest breaks is a pay violation. Most states give employees a ten-minute rest break that includes pay, after every four hours of work. However, this isn’t a requirement for employees who work only 3.5 hours a day.

Failing to Pay for Company Uniforms

Most state laws require employers to reimburse their employees for business expenses that are considered reasonable. This may include employee uniforms. If an employer has agreed to reimburse an employee for buying a uniform but fails to do so, this is unfair. Additionally, an employer must pay for protective gear as well as pay for replacing worn out or lost uniforms. Dry-cleaning costs should also be covered by employers.

Overtime Pay Violations

Being denied pay for overtime or being underpaid for working longer than a regular workweek is illegal. According to the United States Department of Labor , employers requiring employees to work overtime have to provide premium pay for their overtime work. The FLSA (Fair Labor Standard Act) states that employees are entitled to receive overtime pay for working more than 40 hours per week. Premium pay should be one to one-half times, or more, of an employee’s regular pay rate.

How an Employment Attorney Can Help

When you’ve been treated unlawfully at work, it’s best to find a reputable employment attorney who can help you. Consider that the Wage and Hour Law is exceptionallycomplex.This is mainly because it’s influenced by federal acts, state statutes, municipal codes, case law decisions and other factors.

Considerations and Warnings

Do you need sound legal counsel? If so, set up a free consultation with the legal professionals at Aiman-Smith & Marcy. We specialize in employment law, consumer fraud and class actions in California. Please contact us and find out more about our wide range of legal services.

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