Many Chicago area residents have had a situation in which they are not paid appropriately for the work they do. Most employers are fair but sometimes an employer cheats their employee out of the wages they should have received. The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act protects workers from wage disputes but what does it mean?
There are several standards that the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets for employers and employees. These include:
Federal minimum wage: the FLSA has set the minimum wage to $7.25/hour or the state’s minimum wage, whichever is higher. The minimum wage in Illinois is $11.00.
Overtime: Nonexempt employees must receive overtime for any hours worked over 40 hours in a week at a rate of no less than time-and-a-half.
Hours worked: Defines hours worked as all the time an employee is required to be at work and on duty.
Recordkeeping: An employer is required to display the official poster detailing FLSA standards.
Child Labor: There are provisions designed to protect educational opportunities of minors and prohibit them working on dangerous jobs.
A legal professional who is skilled in wage and hour laws can help their client with their wage and hour disputes. If an employee has a dispute regarding back pay, overtime compensation or working conditions, an attorney can help. They understand that wage violations can happen in every industry, impacting retail workers, farm workers, workers who rely on tips, those who work odd hours and those who have dual roles in the same company. They will help their client get the money they have earned and fight to obtain the best possible outcome.