People all across Florida seek employment and stay at a job primarily for the paycheck they expect to receive. Of course many people enjoy their work and feel fulfilled by it, but the fact of the matter is that having a job is something that people need for financial purposes.
Unfortunately, there are several different instances when wages and income are at the center of an employment dispute. In this post, we will look at three common types of wage violations that both employers and employees should be aware of.
- Minimum wage: Every worker is entitled to a fair wage. This means that, with a few exceptions, workers should be receiving no less than the minimum wage set by the federal government or the state of Florida. If the two wages are different, which is the case in this state, the higher wage must be observed. So, workers in south Florida should receive at least $8.05 per hour, even though the federal minimum wage is set at $7.25 per hour. Failure to comply with the state laws can get employers in serious trouble.
- Overtime pay: Certain workers are eligible for overtime pay, which is equal to time-and-a-half of the workers regular hourly rate. This can get confusing when workers are misclassified or overtime hours are not properly recorded.
- Wrongfully withheld wages: Most workers have deductions from their paychecks to cover taxes, benefits or any other expense authorized by the employee. These deductions can be challenged if a worker doesn’t agree with the amount being withheld, but that doesn’t necessarily mean an employer has done anything wrong. Because of how complicated deductions can be in some cases, it can take thorough investigation to determine whether there were any wages unlawfully withheld.
If an issue arises involving these or any other type of wage violations, it can certainly get ugly because both an employer and an employee can depend on the amount of money that is at stake. Resolving these issues in court or with the help of an attorney can be crucial for both sides.
