Minimum Wage Violations Attorney
Demand maximum financial compensation
State and federal minimum wage laws specify exactly how much money employees must be paid per hour for most jobs. When employers ignore these laws and don’t pay employees at least the minimum hourly rate, such actions are a blatant violation of wage and hour laws.
If your employer is not paying you minimum wage and your job qualifies for this standard rate, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. You may have a strong wage and hour claim and could be entitled to financial compensation for unpaid wages and additional damages.
Our Ohio attorneys at Gibson Law, LLC have years of experience handling such complex legal cases. We thoroughly understand Ohio’s minimum wage laws. As your lawyer, we can investigate your claim and work with you to build the strongest possible legal case. Our in-depth investigation into minimum wage violations often involves reviewing pay stubs, timesheets and other written documentation. We leave no stone unturned in pursuit of justice.
What are common minimum wage violations?
Minimum wage varies from one state to another, as well as at the federal level. Currently, Ohio’s minimum wage is $10.45 per hour, while the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Because Ohio’s rate is higher, that rate applies to most hourly workers in Ohio. Exceptions include waiters and other tipped employees. Their minimum hourly wage in Ohio is $5.25 per hour.
The most common minimum wage violation involves employers paying employees less than the current hourly minimum wage. Another common violation involves paying workers minimum wage for overtime work, which should be 1.5 times the current minimum wage rate.
Many employers who pay less than minimum wage try to scare or intimidate workers to prevent them from reporting such labor violations. You don’t have to live in fear. An experienced lawyer can help you demand the money you rightfully deserve for the hours you worked.
Can employers legally pay less than minimum wage?
The short answer? No. Employers must pay at least minimum wage. This includes workers who might seem exempt from such rules, including tipped workers and piece-rate employees. The amount of money they must be paid must be greater than the hourly minimum wage rate.
The problem is some employers don’t understand these rules or illegally misclassify workers as something other than hourly workers entitled to receive minimum wage. They do so because they want to get away with paying workers less than minimum wage.
That’s not right. That’s why it’s important to consult with an experienced lawyer, who can investigate whether your employer is violating Ohio’s minimum wage laws. If you’re not being paid that hourly rate, you may be entitled for financial compensation for unpaid wages.
What are my legal options?
If you suspect your employer is not paying you minimum wage, you often have several different options in Ohio. Such options include:
- File a complaint with Ohio’s Bureau of Wage & Hour Administration.
- File a lawsuit against your employer for unpaid wages.
In either case, you only have two years under Ohio law to take legal action. Either way, having a lawyer on your side can often make your legal case stronger. An attorney can also make sure that your legal matter gets the attention it rightfully deserves.
Demand the compensation you deserve. Contact our law firm
Even if you have a clear-cut minimum wage case, don’t simply assume that your employer will be cooperative and pay you the money you deserve. In many cases, employers hire attorneys to defend their actions. We know because our lawyers used to represent companies in wage and hour claims. Now, we put our knowledge to work for employees just like you.
Discover what our legal team can do for you. Contact our law firm and schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have offices in Cincinnati and Dayton.