Wage & Hour Laws

Illinois, like other states, has a number of laws intended to protect the health, safety and dignity of its workers. For example, the One Day Rest in Seven Act (ODRISA) requires employers to give their workers at least one 24-hour period off after every seven...

Worker wage claims may stem from a company refusing to pay overtime or violating minimum wage rules. Other times, well-compensated employees may need to take action when companies do not fulfill their wage promises as outlined in an employment contract.  Salespeople,...

As an employee, you certainly hope that your boss does not decide to cut your wages. However, as long as you are still being paid more than minimum wage, your employer often does have the legal ability to reduce your pay rate. Maybe you were hired at $30 an hour, for...

Overtime pay in Illinois is typically paid at time and a half. This is fairly common across most states, although there are some states – such as California – that sometimes authorize double pay. The first important point to note is that Illinois uses the...

Some jobs expect you to wear a specific shirt, hat or gear to look “on brand,” but when they expect you to pay for it out of pocket, that’s when things get murky. Federal wage law puts clear limits on what your employer can charge you for, especially when it affects...

Tip pooling itself is legal. Some bar and restaurant owners use a tip pool, asking the wait staff to combine their tips and split them up evenly rather than having each member of the wait staff take the tips that they specifically earned. This can help if the owner...

Workers should receive fair pay for their time and labor. But it seems not all employers agree with that concept. Wage and hour law violations are more common than many people realize. Learning what they are and how to spot them can protect you from unscrupulous labor...

For many workers, being told they’re an independent contractor instead of an employee creates more confusion than clarity. At first, it might seem harmless or even appealing since it sounds like you have more freedom. However, you might be missing out on a lot of...

Your pay stubs are more than just slips of paper. They show the hours you worked, the wages you earned and the deductions taken out. Without them, you cannot confirm if you received the correct pay. Federal and Illinois laws require clear and accurate pay records....

You are looking for a job while going to college in Illinois, and you find one that will pay you minimum wage to work part-time. You certainly wanted a higher wage, but you are honestly happy just to have employment. You are sure that you will start making more money...