Piece-Rate Employees
Our attorneys can demand the money you deserve
Some companies hire people to work on a piece-rate basis. But just because a worker is classified as a piece-rate employee does not mean that other labor laws do not apply to them. That’s why it’s important for piece-rate workers whose rights have been violated to talk to a wage and hour claims lawyer as soon as possible.
Our legal team at Gibson Law, LLC in Cincinnati and Dayton can review the details of your potential legal case. We know what evidence to look for, what questions to ask and how to assemble such information into a successful legal claim.
We know what to do because we have years of experience handling such complex legal cases. In particular, our employment attorneys have represented employers and employees in the past. Now, we work exclusively for employees whose rights have been violated.
What is a piece-rate employee?
A piece-rate employee is someone who is paid by the piece for a particular product they produce, repair or work on in some capacity. In such situations, an employee is paid for each item they produce.
Employees who work in manufacturing are sometimes paid on a per piece basis instead of for the hours they work. This might seem like a fair approach, especially if a worker can produce products at a fast rate.
However, many piece-rate projects take longer than expected. When that happens, an employee might end up making much less than they expected. But what many piece-rate employees might not realize is their employer must pay them at least minimum wage, regardless of how long it takes someone to complete a single piece.
Are piece-rate workers eligible for overtime?
As with minimum wage, piece-rate workers are entitled to receive overtime if they work more than 40 hours a week. Some employers will disagree, claiming they are only required to pay by the piece, regardless of how long such work takes.
That’s not true. Ohio’s overtime laws apply for piece-rate workers as well. If your employer refuses to pay you overtime, you may have a strong wage and hour claim. In such cases, you often have two options – file a complaint with the Ohio’s Bureau of Wage & Hour Administration or file a lawsuit against the company. In either case, an attorney can help guide you through the legal process every step of the way.
How much is my case worth?
The value of your piece-rate work lawsuit or complaint will vary based on several distinct factors, including:
- How long the company you work for has violated state or federal labor laws.
- Whether or not you have been paid at least minimum wage for your work.
- Whether or not you have been paid overtime for extra hours you may have worked each week.
It’s also important to remember that there’s a time limit for taking legal action in such cases in Ohio. If you miss this deadline (known as the statute of limitations), you could miss out on your opportunity to obtain the financial compensation you deserve.
You have rights. We can fight for them. Contact us
Don’t simply assume that your piece work claim will be straightforward. Even if the company clearly broke the law, they will likely hire an attorney to defend their actions and discredit your complaint or lawsuit.
They don’t intimidate us. Our lawyers know how to handle such complicated legal cases and how to successfully obtain the compensation workers deserve. Discover what we can do for you. Contact us for a consultation with a member of our legal team at one of our two office locations in Cincinnati and Dayton.