From Lakraj Justice – Fighting Wage Theft and Protecting Workers

You worked the hours. You earned the pay. If your employer is not paying you overtime, that is not just unfair; it may be illegal. Wage theft is one of the most common workplace violations, and many employees do not realize it is happening until months or even years later.

At Lakraj Justice, we help workers recover unpaid wages and hold employers accountable.

What Counts as Overtime?

Under federal law, most employees must be paid at a rate of 1.5 times their regular rate for any hours worked over 40 in a single workweek. That means if you work 45 hours, an additional five hours should be paid 1.5 times your regular hourly rate.

Being paid a salary does not automatically mean you are exempt from overtime. Job duties, not just job titles, determine whether you qualify.

Common Ways Employers Avoid Paying Overtime

Employers may try to reduce labor costs by using unlawful tactics such as:

• Misclassifying employees as “exempt” or salaried
• Labeling workers as independent contractors
• Requiring off-the-clock work before or after shifts
• Failing to include bonuses or commissions in overtime calculations
• Averaging hours across multiple weeks
• Not paying for mandatory meetings or training

If any of these situations sound familiar, your employer may owe you back wages.

What You May Be Entitled To

If your employer violated overtime laws, you may be able to recover unpaid wages, additional damages (often doubling what you are owed), and attorney’s fees. The law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who assert their right to proper pay.

Time limits apply to wage claims, so acting quickly is important.

Protecting Your Paycheck

You should not have to fight for money you have already earned. If you regularly work more than 40 hours without proper overtime compensation, it may be time to speak with an experienced employment attorney. Lakraj Justice evaluates pay records, analyzes classification issues, and pursues full recovery aggressively.

Call Lakraj Justice today at (404) 470-3001 or email us at aj@lakrajjustice.com for a consultation. You worked for it. Let’s make sure you get paid for it.