Is your employer failing to pay you the full wages you are owed? Has your employer failed to listen to your complaints and the complaints of your co-workers? Are you wondering what to do and what your rights are?
Wage theft comes in many forms -- tip skimming, the failure to pay overtime, the failure to pay travel time, the failure to pay earned commissions, mis-classifying an employee as an independent contractor, the failure to pay for mandatory "off-the-clock" time.
You may feel as though the leverage is all on the side of your employer.
We have structured our representation of employees in wage theft cases so that the leverage is on your side. Its an easy 3 step process which focuses on our ability to "Pursue 3X Your Unpaid Wages with No Out-of-Pocket Costs."
1. No Out-of-Pocket Fees or Costs -- We don't charge you out-of-pocket fees or costs. Many clients tell us that they did not know that they could hire a wage lawyer and not pay an upfront fee. We represent you on a contingent fee basis and only get paid if we win.
2. Pursue 3X Your Unpaid Wages -- We will pursue up to 3X your unpaid wages as allowed by law. For every dollar of unpaid wages, the Massachusetts Wage Act allows us to pursue three.
3. Anti-Retaliation -- We pursue workplace retaliation claims against employers who retaliate against employees for asserting their right to be paid their full wages.
At a time when every dollar counts, it’s important to know that you can get the legal representation you need to fight for the full wages you deserve without dipping into your hard-earned savings.
Top 5 Wage Violations in Massachusetts
- Not Paying Overtime. Employers must pay the overtime rate of one and a half times an employee's regular rate of pay for every hour over 40 hours. An employer can't pay overtime at a "straight time" rate in cash.
- Failing to Pay Minimum Wage. Massachusetts' minimum wage is significantly higher than the federal guaranteed minimum wage. Employers are required to pay hourly workers in accordance with the current wage rate.
- Mis-classifying Workers as Independent Contractors. Especially in our current gig economy, employers will attempt to get around Massachusetts wage laws by mis-classifying employees as independent contractors. You are presumed to be an employee in Massachusetts and many independent contractor classifications made by employers violate the Massachusetts Wage Act.
- Cheating Workers Out of Commissions. If you are in sales and work on commission, your employer must pay your earned commission.
- Stealing Tips. All tips and service fees must be paid to service staff -- waiters, waitresses, bartenders, bus persons. The "back of the house" is not allowed to receive any of the tips or service fees collected from customers, nor is any other employee who is not engaged in serving the customers.
It can be difficult for workers who are paid an hourly wage to figure out if they are receiving their full wages. It is not an easy issue to bring up with your boss or a manager. Many workers simply take what they are given and suffer in silence. It does not have to be that way.
Get Paid in Full for Your Hard Work
You work hard for your paycheck each week. Your employer is not allowed to pay you less than you are owed by law. You have rights in Massachusetts which require your employer to pay you in full for your hard work.
Contact us today to learn about your rights and how you can be be paid up to 3X your unpaid wages. We represent hard working folks from across the state, including New Bedford, Dartmouth, Westpost, Fall River, Wareham, Boston, Brockton, Braintree, Quincy, Plymouth and so on. We take cases in Bristol County, Plymouth County, Barnstable County, Suffolk County, or Norfolk County so please call us today.