Wage & Hour Laws

If you are an undocumented worker, you still have certain legal protections. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, every employee in the United States has access to the federal minimum wage. In Chicago, the minimum wage for non-tipped workers is currently $13.00...

As an Illinois worker, you have the right to fair compensation for the hours you have worked. Minimum wage is a base rate or the lowest amount an employer can legally pay an employee. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers that meet the requirements must...

As an on-call HVAC system service provider, you work irregular hours. In a heating or air-conditioning emergency, this often includes overtime. Due to the nature of your work and the kind of hours you put in, you agreed to participate in a Belo Plan. What is this and...

During hard economic times, an employer can deny you your rightful pay and commit wage theft violations. The place where federal and state law intersects can create a particularly large hurdle, with some employers not even knowing these laws. In other cases, they may...

Regardless of the field you work in, it is essential to stand up for your legal rights concerning compensation. Whether you do not receive overtime pay or you experience minimum wage violations, employers who fail to follow the law and respect the rights of their...

The rules for undocumented workers and employment taxes and benefits are sometimes confusing. It is no surprise many workers are unaware of their rights to certain benefits. While you may qualify for things such as vacation pay and overtime pay, WTTW explains that you...

Unexpectedly losing your job likely impacted your ability to pay bills, buy groceries and keep your home. Although Illinois is an at-will employment state, legal protections for employees are in place. According to the Illinois Department of Labor, at-will employment...

Sometimes workplace discrimination is obvious. Your employer may deny you a promotion you have earned or perks of employment that other workers enjoy with no problems. However, in your case, you may not have noticed until recently that your employer is not paying you...

Managing a workforce in Illinois can quickly become challenging on numerous levels. From having the right contracts in place to training employees on operational guidelines, running an organization is a difficult, ongoing process. Unfortunately, some employers,...

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...