Top 5 Mistakes People Make After an On-the-Job Injury
October 10, 2022
What You Should Do Upon Getting a Summons
October 27, 2022
What is wage theft, and is it happening to you?
Wage theft is another way of saying your employer isn’t paying you in accordance with the hours you’re working. Sometimes it looks like underpayment, and sometimes it’s outright non-payment. Consider these real-life examples of unpaid wages, and look for the warning signs if you suspect you’re not being lawfully compensated.
Paying Less Than Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Idaho is the same as the federal minimum: $7.25 per hour. While there are a few exceptions, like for full-time students or tipped employees, you should know when those exceptions apply to you and when they don’t. For example, if you work as a server in a restaurant, you may make less than minimum wage, but you are entitled to keep your cash tips. If your job does not fall under one of those exceptions, your employer should be paying at least minimum wage.
Withholding a Final Paycheck
Whether you resign from a job or are terminated, the state of Idaho requires your employer to issue your final paycheck within 10 days or by the next payday. If you don’t owe your now-former employer any money and they continue to withhold that last check, contact a wage claim attorney to discuss your options.
Unpaid Overtime
Occasionally, toxic workplaces encourage employees to work overtime with no expectation of payment. If you have a boss like the one from Office Space—who keeps asking you to work on Saturdays—know that you are entitled to overtime for those hours worked. Overtime in Idaho means 1.5 times your regular pay, or “time and a half”; if those hours are missing from your paycheck, dig deeper to find out why.
Unauthorized Deductions
Is your employer garnishing your wages without telling you? Are they sticking you with the bill for expenses they should be paying? Your boss should not be deducting any of the following expenses from your paycheck:
- Medical or physical exams
- Professional photos for the company website
- Costs of office supplies for work-related projects
Not Paying at All
Has your boss called a staff meeting to announce they can’t afford to pay employees this month? Do they expect you all to keep working like the rockstars you are, promising that your paycheck will come eventually? That is not an ethical—or legal—way to run a business. Tell your story to an employment law attorney, and encourage your coworkers to do the same.
One of your inalienable rights as an employee is to be paid fairly for all hours worked. Watch for these real-life examples of unpaid wages as you pore over past pay stubs. If the numbers aren’t adding up and you are owed back pay, take the appropriate legal steps to get the wages you deserve.
