Take a look at the employee handbook that your employer provided you with when you first started your job. Also, look at the posters that list laws that protect you there in your breakroom. You should see the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) listed there.
The FLSA is a federal law that outlines minimum wages and other compensation requirements, including those for overtime, that U.S. employers must follow in compensating their workers. Each state has its own requirements that may supersede these requirements (and may be better) as well.
Understanding your rights
You’ll want to understand your employment rights and violations of them if you’re considering filing a wage and hour dispute.
Most employees have a right to file a wage and hour claim if their employer violates FLSA or any other employment laws. These laws also prohibit employers from retaliating against their workers for reporting violations of these laws as well.
What falls under the umbrella of wage and hour claim retaliation?
Pinpointing wage and hour retaliation isn’t always straightforward. Some of the following situations may constitute this type of unlawful workplace conduct:
- Cutting your work hours
- Implementing an unfavorable work schedule
- Providing you with an unfavorable work evaluation
- Demoting you to an inferior role
- Firing you without having a valid reason for doing so
- Disciplining you for no apparent reason
Employers should have a solid reason for making the above-referenced choices or otherwise risk retaliation accusations.
What remedies can you pursue in wages and hours claims cases?
It’s unlawful for your employer to retaliate against you for filing a wage and hour claim. You may be eligible to take legal action against your employer if they subject you to retaliation after filing such a claim.
You may want to continue perusing our website to learn more about retaliation before deciding whether your situation warrants you taking legal action in your case.
