Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, U.S. employers must pay most types of employees at least the federal minimum wage when working 40 hours a week or less. If the employee works more than 40 hours in any given week, the employer must pay hourly overtime. However, some...
Fighting For Workers In Pay Disputes Since 1987
CHICAGO WAGE AND HOUR LAWS BLOG
State minimum wage increase in 2023
The minimum wage in Illinois increased from $12 per hour to $13 per hour on January 1, 2023. Wages for tipped workers and workers under the age of 18 also went up. The wage boost is part of an annual increase that will continue through 2025. New minimum wages The...
Understanding back wages in various industries
Every worker, no matter what field they work in, has protected rights to legal wage compensation for the work that they do. Experiencing minimum wage violations, skipped overtime pay, or back wage issues demands a righting of these wrongs and the appropriate payment....
Undocumented seniors offered health coverage in Illinois
Many health crises hit marginalized and undocumented communities hardest and wreak havoc on some of the most vulnerable people in society. Recently, Illinois became one of the first states to offer health care coverage to older undocumented immigrants. According to...
What is tip skimming in the service industry?
The service industry can be an appealing one for many people, such as those who prefer working second or third shifts and those who want or need a part-time occupation. However, restaurants, bars and other establishments that largely pay their employees with tips can...
How does the FLSA impact agricultural employees?
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) oversees issues like minimum wage, recordkeeping, overtime and other forms of labor standards on a federal level. These standards also apply to people working in agricultural fields. This includes both farming operations and...
A closer look at overtime laws in Illinois
It is pivotal to understand the rights that you have as an employee, and take action if you experience any violations of these rights. From discrimination to sexual harassment, employers can violate the rights of those who work for their firm in various ways. In...
What constitutes discrimination in the workplace?
One of the most common ways for someone to dispute discrimination is to claim it never happened. When you are unaware of what legally constitutes discrimination, it can be difficult to defend against this type of gaslighting. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity...
How can wrongful termination impact you?
Wrongful termination can cause you to feel disvalued and incompetent. You might question your every move, wondering what could have possibly gone wrong to make your employer terminate you. The truth is that experiencing termination can impact your life for years to...
Illinois law protects payouts from commissions
Employer's often take advantage of their sales representatives who earn commissions. For example, if you end your contract or get fired, your former company might attempt to withhold your money. However, according to the Sales Representative Act, all commissions must...
