Federal and state laws protect workers' wages and overtime. Non-exempt employees should be paid at least 1 1/2 times their hourly wage for overtime hours worked. Overtime hours can include working more than 40 hours in one week or more than 8 hours in one day.

Unfortunately, in some instances, company greed or ignorance prevents you from receiving what you're entitled to.

The following are guidelines to help you determine if you are not being fully compensated for your overtime work:

• You are paid your regular hourly wage for overtime
• You are paid less than the federal minimum wage or the wage required by a contract or collective bargaining agreement with your employer
  
• You are required to work "off the clock"
• You are told to put your hours worked down on the following week or granted comp time, such as vacation time paid at your regular hourly wage, for your overtime hours
• Your timesheet is altered to reflect no overtime, even though you worked overtime
• You are automatically clocked out for breaks and lunch, whether you take them or not
• You are denied breaks or meal time even though you are entitled to them
• You are denied overtime because it was not approved in advance by your manager or supervisor
• You are not paid for getting ready for work or completing required after work activities, such as
• • preparing your workspace
  • cleaning up your work space after work
  • putting on or taking off a uniform or protective clothing that are required for the job (donning and doffing)
  • driving a company vehicle  from one location to another as part of your work related duties (cable, gas, telephone, delivery, and electric employees may be more likely to be affected by this problem)
    

If any of these things have happened to you, you may have a claim against your employer under federal or state law.

For a free confidential consultation please call (312) 638-0819.

Fax collection letters, loan documents, or other documentary evidence of illegal business activity to us at (312) 638-9136 or email to jason@shanfieldlawfirm.com.

The Shanfield Law Firm represents people in individual and class actions in several types of cases. You understand that sending a fax or email the Shanfield Law Firm, Ltd. does not contractually obligate our firm to represent you. We can only serve as your attorney if both you and our firm agree, in writing, that we will do so.