The law forbids your employer from withholding remuneration except under three particular circumstances:
- The state or federal law empowers them to do so
- You provide written authorization to have your wages withheld
- A reasonable, good-faith dispute exists
Additionally, the Arizona Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act (Proposition 206) made the minimum wage $11 per hour as of 2019. It will rise to $12 per hour in 2020 for Arizona workers.
Under any other circumstances, the law requires employers to pay wages on time. To avoid the devastating effects of non-payment on your financial well-being, consider the services of a wage and compensation attorney.
Relevant Wage and Compensation Laws
The Labor Department enforces over 180 laws. Those applicable to wages and compensation include:
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
It sets guidelines for wages and overtime pay for both private and public employment. Your employer is required to pay you the federal minimum wage as the most basic compensation. You’re also entitled to overtime amounting to one and a half times your normal pay.
Immigration and Nationality Act
This law applies to legal aliens holding non-immigrant visas who are authorized to work in the U.S..
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
If your employer offers welfare benefit plans, this law regulates their management to ensure all beneficiaries are covered.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Although employers are entitled to do background checks on potential employees, they should conduct the process fairly. This law outlines the necessary legal requirements, especially when checks are conducted through third parties.
Other than federal laws, Arizona also has specific wage laws, which address various scenarios. These include sick leave, jury duty leave, and severance pay. To get a detailed guide of all relevant laws that employers must obey, contact the law offices of HKM Employment Attorneys.
Wage Violations and Disputes
Federal and some state and local labor laws outline wage standards and negotiations.
Disputes usually arise when employers either disregard or misinterpret such regulations.
Non-payment related issues caused by employers include:
- Missing one or numerous regular payments
- Failure to hand employees their last check after the termination of a contract
- Withholding wages without valid reasons
- Withholding bonuses, overtime pay, and other validly earned perks
- Paying an average salary that is lower than Arizona’s lawfully mandated minimum wage of $11.00
- Failing to provide workers’ compensation to employees injured while performing their contractual obligations
- Firing or harassing employees for reporting violations of state and federal labor laws
- Retaliating against employees who ask for higher wages
- Misclassification of employee job groups
If you’re employed in service-related jobs, your employer shouldn’t expect unreliable tips to be your sole source of income. In case the wages plus tips are lower than the federal minimum wage, your employer must compensate for the difference.
Take Action
If you’re engaged in a wage and compensation dispute with your employer, HKM Employment Attorneys has you covered. As Phoenix’s premier PLLC law firm, we specialize in fighting for unpaid wages and workplace legal issues, no matter the circumstances with your employer.
We serve clients in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, and locales beyond Maricopa County. Draw on our years of experience in employment law. For an informed discussed on how to remedy workplace violations regarding wages, make an appointment with one of our employment law attorneys today.
