What To Do If Your Employer Is Violating Minimum Wage Laws

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What To Do If Your Employer Is Violating Minimum
Wage Laws
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• In the light of the employment situation for many
  US citizens today, youre probably feeling lucky
  and grateful that youve found a full time job,
  but what if you dont think youre being paid
  enough?
• Minimum wage laws state that your hourly rate of
  pay must comply with the national or state
  standard, and if you suspect that your employer
  is violating those laws, you should seek legal
  advice immediately. Try to resist the temptation
  to confront your boss, even if youre on good
  terms with one another, as you could potentially
  be jeopardizing your job, which is the last thing
  you want to do.

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• Arent some occupations unprotected when it comes
  to the minimum wage law?
• Yes, employees who receive tips, individuals
  under the age of 20 years, full time students
  employed at colleges, universities or retail
  stores and students that are 16 years and
  enrolled in a vocational education course, may be
  subject to different pay requirements that mean
  they are not entitled to receive the full minimum
  wage.

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• How do I know which minimum wage applies to me?
• Some situations arise whereby the state that you
  are living and working in, will have a different
  minimum wage than the federal government in
  these cases, whichever rate is higher, is the one
  that will apply.

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• This can become a little more complex in certain
  states like Minnesota, where if a company is
  making a certain amount in revenue, the state
  rate of pay is affected. Depending on their
  revenue, if the wage per hour works out as being
  less than the federal minimum wage per hour, then
  that company may well be required by law to raise
  the pay of its employees to match the minimum
  federal rate.
• That said, there are some states that have a
  higher minimum wage per hour than that of the
  federal government. An employment lawyer will
  help you ascertain which minimum wage laws apply
  to you.

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• How will I know if my wage rights are being
  violated?
• There are several ways in which an employer can
  violate the minimum wage laws, other than by
  simply not paying you the lawful amount
• Underpaying you because you receive tips
• Paying you cash in hand or under the table (no
  taxes are deducted this way)
• Not increasing your wage from that of a student
  or intern, despite the fact that you are now a
  full time, regular employee

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• Decreasing your pay because of your status as an
  immigrant (if youre not in possession of a green
  card and have no lawful right to work in the US)
• Not respecting your designated meal/break times
• Awarding you a salary that works out less than
  what a minimum wage paid worker would receive as
  an hourly rate
• You suspect that your employer is in violation of
  the minimum wage law, what should you do now?

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• There is no time to lose if you suspect that
  your wage rights are being violated at work, then
  you need to contact a reputable employment lawyer
  as soon as you can. They will have intimate
  knowledge of the various laws regarding wages
  from state to state, and will be able to tell you
  if you have a case to argue.
• Every day spent waiting and wondering, is another
  day where you could be losing money that the law
  states you are entitled to.

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• Law Office of Jesse D. Nelson is an employment
  law firm located in Knoxville, Tennessee. We are
  in business to represent employees. We also
  represent people facing family issues, such as
  divorce and child custody. We tailor a strategy
  for each case based on what is most important to
  you, our client. Whether you are looking for
  employment lawyer in Knoxville, TN or labor
  attorney in Knoxville, TN, call us today at (865)
  383-1053.