FLSA Wage Claims

There are many rules and regulations on how and when employers are required to pay their employees. These rules were set down by the Fair Standards Labor Act, and under that act, employees are legally allowed to file claims against their employers if wages are ever withheld. However, filing this claim is easier said than done, and ensuring that you get the money you are owed will require dedicated and skilled attorneys.

We at The Lenahan Law Firm have the expertise to help you get your wages. The first step to ensuring you will get paid fairly is speaking to one of our incredible attorneys. We offer free evaluations, and we do not require payment until you yourself are paid. To start your wage claim, call our office at (214) 295-1008 today.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was first passed in 1938. At that point there was no federal minimum wage, nor were there any limitations on how long employees could work. At this time, many workers were incredibly underpaid and forced to work long hours, sometimes 12-hour plus shifts, with few days off in between. Considering the impact of the Great Depression, it was clear that something had to be done to relieve workers and help stimulate the economy, thus, FLSA was passed.

Upon its passage, the minimum wage was set at $.25 per hour, and the 40-hour work week/8-hour workday was established. Since then, the FLSA has gone through many iterations, with multiple amendments added to the original document. FLSA now governs how workers should be paid for overtime; keeps certain groups, such as women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community, from being paid less than they deserve; and even limits what jobs can be worked by age of the employee. If your employer at any point violated these rules, then you may be able to file a FLSA wage claim.

The point of the FLSA is to ensure that workers in America receive the pay that they are legally entitled to. This means they must be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25, although some states have a higher minimum wage to be paid for all hours worked. The federal minimum includes a rate hike of 1.5 the regular wage when a worker is doing overtime. If your employer does not follow the FLSA guidelines, that means you have likely been paid less than you are owed. This is when you should file a FLSA wage claim.