Employees, just like businesses, depend on a steady flow of income to keep up with their expenses. Food still needs to be put on the table, the mortgage or rent still has to be paid each month, and the hundreds of other expenses of living must be attended to whether your employer decides to pay you or not. We understand your struggle and will hold your employer accountable when they refuse to pay you for work that you have done. The HKM Employment Attorneys practice employment law only and use that focus to maximize the monetary outcome for our clients. We are here to help you seek justice from your employer because whether they are a small mom-and-pop store or a large corporation, the law is on your side.
The Average American is Already Struggling. Wage Disputes Only Make It Harder on Employees
There is a large disconnect between the quickly growing economy, which has been on the upswing ever since the Great Recession of 2007 and 2008, and the bank account of the average American employee. Production is way up and the top 1% of earners is gaining wealth rapidly. However, since 1979, average wages have remained stagnant, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Low earner wages have dropped by 5% since 1979, middle earning wages have risen by just 6%, and high earner wages have risen by 41%. So, how is it fair that your employer has been getting away with refusing to pay wages?
Your Right to Sue an Employer
Both federal and state laws mandate that your employer pay your wages. If your employer refuses to pay in full or refuses to pay on time, you have the right to take them to court. Moreover, if your employer has paid you less than minimum wage, again you have the right to seek fair compensation with the aid of an experienced employment attorney.
Common Ways in Which Employers Deny Wages
- Failure to pay on time (wage withholding);
- Denial of payment outright;
- Failure to pay commission;
- Taking hours off paid break time;
- Factoring in tip earnings to reduce paycheck;
- Failure to pay overtime, which is one and a half time the normal hourly rate of the employee;
- Failure to pay out for accrued vacation time after the employee leaves the employer;
- Failure to provide vacation time earned; and
- Failure to pay last paycheck.
Commonly, an employer will either drag their feet or deny payment outright when an employee is terminated or quits his or her job. However, as per Kansas statute 44-315, an employer must pay the employee’s last paycheck no later than the next normal pay period had the employee still been employed.
A Kansas City Employment Attorney is Here to Help
When it comes to unpaid wages, you have the upper hand against your employer whether they are a large corporation or not. Do not let your employer take advantage and intimidate you further. Call an HKM Employment Attorney at once to receive in full the unpaid wages that you earned.
