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Workplace discrimination is not unusual in New Jersey. However, a considerable number of employee-employer conflicts are also related to wage issues. The standard work week refers to 40 hours of work. If you are working beyond that time, you are entitled to overtime pay. There are state and federal laws that protect employees against unfair wage practices, and yet, workers often have complaints that they were not compensated as per the laws. Any such practice is a gross violation of rights, and if you have been subjected to such treatment, you should consider looking for an Employment Attorney near me at the earliest.
Understanding wage disputes
It is okay for companies to ask employees to work beyond the standard 40-hour norm, but they must also pay them adequately. The most common reason for disputes is the lack of overtime pay. There are other kinds of disputes, too, such as misclassification of employment status by the employer. This is often done to ensure the worker doesn’t demand overtime dues. Wage disputes are seen across industries, and because the employment status of a worker can be a bummer in recovering dues, employers do their best to find loopholes.
Knowing the laws
As we mentioned, there are both state and federal laws for ensuring overtime pay. Eligible employees who have worked additional hours should get due their dues accordingly. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 is the federal law, while the New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law sets additional standards for compensation for extra hours of work. Because you are stretching the work hours, you should get the pay as per overtime laws, which is 1.5 times your normal hourly pay. For instance, if you make $10 each hour and have worked for an extra hour beyond 40 hours, you are entitled to $15.
Do all workers qualify for overtime dues?
No. There are a few exempt categories, and examples include administrative employees, professional employees, and outside salespersons. Also, workers who get over $455 per week cannot claim overtime dues in most cases. The overtime laws are designed for workers who work on an hourly basis, but there are also exceptions to this. Your best bet is to talk to an employment lawyer with credible experience with overtime laws.
Find an attorney at the earliest, and they can help you recover the wages you have lost. The good news is most lawyers work on a contingency fee.
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