Harte-Hanks, a call center in Texarkana, Texas, recently made headlines when a group of employees filed an unpaid wage claim, stating that the company required them to work off the clock during their lunch breaks and before and after their shifts. Philadelphia employment lawyers report that the claim is currently pending in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas federal court.
If these employees truly were denied compensation they earned, they have the right to recover it through an unpaid wage claim under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). You have this right as well. If you worked and were not paid for the work you performed, consider working with an experienced employment lawyer to seek the money your employer owes you.
What are my Rights Regarding Overtime Pay?
The first step to recovering your unpaid overtime claim is to familiarize yourself with your rights as an American worker.
If you are a covered, non-exempt worker, you are entitled to receive time and a half for every hour you work beyond the standard 40-hour workweek. Your employer can require you to work more than 40 hours, but they cannot refuse to compensate you at this rate for the time you work beyond 40 hours per the FLSA. A few examples of workers who are not covered by the FLSA include:
- Independent contractors
- Employees of small farms
- Child caretakers such as nannies
- Individuals working on commercial fishing vessels
- Salaried workers such as administrative and executive employees
If you determine that you did not receive overtime pay even though you worked beyond 40 hours, you can file an unpaid overtime claim. Keep every pay stub and any other record that can be used to show that you earned and did not receive overtime pay. Contact an experienced Philadelphia employment lawyer to pursue a claim with the United States Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division to seek the compensation you deserve.
Philadelphia Employment Lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates Can Protect your Overtime Rights
If you work beyond 40 hours, you are entitled to receive overtime pay in most circumstances. If you are not paid the money you earn, you have the right to file an unpaid wage claim. To learn more, complete our online form or call our Philadelphia offices at 215-569-1999 to set up your initial consultation with The Gold Law Firm P.C. Our team of Philadelphia employment lawyers works hard to resolve wage and hour disputes for our clients, who come to us from Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
