If your employer has failed to pay you for the work you’ve performed, you have laws that protect you. State and federal employment laws govern how employers must pay their workers, both for regular work hours and overtime. When employers violate these laws, workers can take legal action to seek fair compensation for their lost wages and other damages. Our Louisville employment law attorneys explain how much you can be compensated in a wage or overtime case.
Get in touch with our Louisville employment law attorneys today at (502) 890-9954 to schedule a consultation!
Unpaid Wages Laws
Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage in the United States is currently $7.25/hour as of 2020. This means that employers in all 50 states must pay their employees no less than this amount (with some minimal exceptions). Employees must be paid at least the federal minimum wage or the state minimum wage if it is higher than the federal minimum wage. If an employer and employee agree on a higher rate than the minimum wage, the employer must pay that rate. When an employer fails to pay an employee their agreed-upon salary, they can be held accountable for their wrongdoing.
Overtime
Employers are also required to pay overtime work. In Kentucky and Indiana, non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a week are entitled to receive overtime pay that equals one and a half times their normal hourly rate (or “time and a half”). In Kentucky, specifically, covered employees are entitled to overtime when they work seven days in a single week when they are also allowed to do more than 40 hours in that workweek.
Break & Hour Laws
In Kentucky, employers must allow employees to take one short (less than 20 minutes) paid rest period for every four hours of work. Additionally, employees are permitted to take an unpaid meal break when they work any shift that is longer than five hours. An employee can seek compensation if their employer required them to work through their breaks.
Compensation for Unpaid Wages
If you take legal action against your employer to recover unpaid wages and you win your case, you will obtain the full amount of your unpaid wages. You will also be entitled to an award of interest on the unpaid wages at a rate set by law.
If your employer acted “willfully,” they might have to pay double the unpaid wage amount due to you as liquidated damages under federal law. You might also receive extra compensation if the judge decides to impose penalties on your employer. Your employer also has to pay your attorney’s fees if you win your wage or overtime case, along with the costs of pursuing the case.
Seek Legal Guidance
If you believe your employer has wronged you, you are entitled to see compensation for your unpaid wages. Having an experienced attorney on your side increases the chances of obtaining a favorable outcome for your case. Our Louisville employment law attorneys can help you determine if you have a case against your employer.
Our legal team is well-versed in both state and federal employment laws. Our employment law attorneys in Louisville can help you understand your legal rights and, if these rights have been violated, can lay out all of your legal options. You can recover the wages you deserve with the help of our employment law attorneys.
If you haven’t received the wages you earned, our team is ready to help you. Contact our Louisville employment law attorneys today at (502) 890-9954 today to schedule a consultation!