If you ask people what type of theft is most common in the United States, they may give a variety of answers. Some might point to car theft, which has been on the rise lately. Others may mention home burglaries or shoplifting.
However, the reality is that the most common type of theft in America is wage theft. Some reports estimate that wage theft costs workers 100 times as much as all assets lost in robberies each year. These reports put the total losses at $482 million annually. It’s a staggering figure that highlights just how widespread wage theft has become.
A variety of wage theft tactics
Part of the reason wage theft is so prevalent is that it can take many forms. Employers have numerous ways to deprive workers of their rightful pay. Some examples include:
- Failing to pay overtime at the required rate of 1.5 times the regular pay
- Failing to pay promised bonuses
- Illegally dividing tips, such as when an employer or manager includes themselves in a tip pool
- Simply withholding wages, such as not sending an employee their final paycheck after they leave the job
Additionally, wage theft can sometimes go unnoticed. For instance, if an employee participates in a tip pool, they might assume the split is accurate. They may not realize that a manager, supervisor or employer has taken a share of the tips, and the theft continues undetected.
When employees discover that they are victims of serious wage theft, it is crucial for them to understand the legal options available to protect their rights and recover their lost wages.
