If you are reading this article, then the chances are that you want to find out more about wages and their rules and regulations. When you have a basic understanding of how wage payment and collection law work, it can help you when meeting with an unexpected situation at the workplace. In the next paragraphs, you will read about some common things that employees might not know about wages. After this, you will get a better understanding of this topic, and you will learn about what you can do if you meet with the same situation.
How Much Time Do You Have to Claim Unpaid Wages?
As with everything related to the field of law, the faster you make your claim, the better the outcome. This is true because it is easier to collect evidence of things that have just recently happened than it would be to go back in time, trace back your steps, and put the puzzle with the missing pieces together.
But different claims can have different results, and the time frame should not be a criterion when deciding how to go about this matter. You have up to six years to claim your unpaid wages, your unpaid overtime, leave entitlements, allowances, and penalties.
Are Reasonable Mistakes Deducted From Your Wage?
No, it is illegal for the employer to retrieve money from your wage to cover up for a reasonable mistake. Unpremeditated errors, money shortages, or a break-in are considered involuntary mistakes, and according to the wage payment and collection law, you are not responsible for covering these costs. You are to pay only for those mistakes caused intentionally, by lying, by misconduct, or by negligence.
What Happens if Your Final Wage is Paid Later Than Expected?
Whether you decide to hand in your resignation letter or you are fired from your current job, your employer has an obligation to pay your last wage immediately after your termination. If your employer is willingly refusing to pay your final wage within this time frame, then he or she might have to pay you penalties for your waiting time (up to 30 days).
What is Considered Wage Theft?
Wage theft happens frequently and can appear in many forms. The most common form of wage theft is when the employer refuses to pay you for your overtime hours. Other forms of wage theft are not being paid for all the hours you have worked, not being given your last paycheck when you leave the job, not being paid the minimum wage, or not being paid at all for the work you have done.
Where Can You Go When You Need Help?
What you need to know is that at both local and state levels, the government is actively acting to mediate the relationship between employers and their employees through laws and regulations such as the wage payment and collection law. Furthermore, there are more than 200 centers for employees throughout the United States of America where you can go and receive professional help regarding your wage problems.
Finally, wage and payment laws can sometimes be difficult to understand, but knowing fundamental information about your rights and your duties as an employee and about the wage you are entitled to can save you from unnecessary stress in the long run.
