Wage & Hour Laws

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...

Employers in Illinois have to ensure they’re classifying workers properly. This includes distinguishing between employees and independent contractors. Both of these categories are outlined in the Illinois Employee Classification Act, 820 ILCS 185. Employees have more...

You may feel frustrated when your paycheck appears smaller than expected. As you review your hours, you might begin to question whether your pay reflects the time and effort you contributed. If you have questions about your pay, start by reviewing your situation...

Undocumented workers contribute a substantial amount to the domestic economy. Economic researchers estimate that as much as 5% of the domestic workforce consists of undocumented workers. Some companies intentionally hire undocumented workers because the organization...

There are many ways that employers might violate the wage rights of workers. Federal and state laws help ensure that employees have the right to a minimum hourly wage and even overtime pay in certain situations. Frequently, companies try to minimize what they pay...