Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and state law, employers may have to pay wages to employees who do not work directly for them. The federal government recently toughened its joint employer standards. Relaxed standards In 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor...
Fighting For Workers In Pay Disputes Since 1987
CHICAGO WAGE AND HOUR LAWS BLOG
Know your rights as a tipped employee in Illinois
Many people in Chicago who work in the service industry rely on tips to make ends meet. Tips are especially important for these workers since the minimum wage for a tipped employee is $6.60 per hour in 2021 compared to the $11 per hour minimum wage non-tipped...
What are the penalties for wage and hour theft?
The basic implication for labor is that we are paid for that labor. When we show up for our shift, we expect to be paid for that time within a reasonable amount of time. And, usually, ever week or two, we get a paycheck for the time we spend at our employers. But,...
How were your employee rights violated?
When our readers in Chicago hear about “wage and hour violations,” they probably think it sounds like a bunch of “legalese.” But, the reality is that this area of the law may have more impact on your life than you realize. Wage and hour violations are, unfortunately,...
Classifying independent contractor employees
It is important for employees to be properly classified. Whether or not an employee is an independent contractor is generally measured by the degree of control the employer has over the independent contract versus the degree of independence the independent contractor...
Can an at-will employee sue for wrongful termination?
The reason many employers prefer hiring employees on at-will basis is the flexibility it allows. Employers may terminate at-will employees as they see fit, generally speaking. However, there are important exceptions. Certain laws and regulations prevent employers from...
Violation of wage and compensation laws in the workplace
Employees in Illinois and elsewhere are always conscious of their bosses or supervisors, as they play a major role in maintaining their job and the ability to move up the ladder. While they hold authority and power in the work environment, they do not have the power...
Who is considered an exempt employee?
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is an important piece of federal law that protects many workers and ensures that they are fairly compensated for the work they perform. Throughout Chicago, workers in many industries rely on FLSA legislation when they are denied...
Increased penalty seeks to deter wage and hour law violations
Despite being subjected to extensive regulations and employment laws, Illinois employers continue to take advantage of their workers in an attempt to cut costs and increase profits. Wages can go underpaid, overtime unpaid altogether, and statutorily required breaks...
Common forms of wage theft in Illinois
All Illinois workers deserve to be paid for an honest day’s work. If you feel your employer is taking advantage of you by failing to pay you for all the hours you work, you may be entitled to damages for their violations of wage-and-hour laws. Illinois employers have...
