What can I do if I’m not being paid what I’m owed?
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What can I do if I’m not being paid what I’m owed?
I clock 80 hours per pay period. Anything over the owner writes a personal check to avoid overtime. He has been shorting me 24 hours per pay period and owes $13,224 for the last year. He says he is only going to pay $1,500. What can I do to get the money owed? Is this tax evasion as well? Do I need to be paying taxes from the personal checks?
Asked on April 28, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, Washington
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
First of all, you must pay your taxes on any earned wages. So if your employer is not withholding them as he should, then you are responsible for paying them. As for collecting what is owed you, any hours workd over 40 must be paid as overtime if you are a non-exempt employee (typically one who is paid hourly). If you are not being compensated as provided by law, you can either sue your employer and/or file a wage claim with your state's department of labor. At this pont, you can also consult directly with an employment law attorney who can advise you further.
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