As an employee in the United States, you have the right to get paid fairly and punctually. This means that employers who do not pay their employees on time or do not pay them what they are entitled to under the law can be subject to legal action.
It is important that you equip yourself with information about your rights as an employee in California. By doing this, you can take action when your employer falls short on their legal obligations to you.
Understanding the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and how it relates to wages
The vast majority of businesses in the United States are subject to FLSA laws. These laws set the minimum wage, and define how overtime pay is applied to employees.
When should I consider taking action because of wage issues?
You have the right to be paid on time. If your employer delays the payment of your wages for their own financial gain, you might suffer financially as a result. For example, you may be unable to make your mortgage payments due to a delay in your wages. Therefore, you may want to consider taking action as a result.
Additionally, if you are a worker who gets paid at an hourly rate rather than a fixed salary, it is likely that you will be entitled to overtime pay. If you believe that you are owed overtime pay, it is important to look into your possible options to gain back pay.
If you believe that your employer has breached their payment obligations, it is important that you do not tolerate such treatment and that you take action as soon as possible.