What should I do if I suspect my employer is withholding wages?
Withholding wages is unlawful in California. If you believe your employer is not paying the wages you are owed, you should contact an experienced employment lawyer right away.
Employees should be paid for all hours they have worked, including overtime, commissions and other forms of pay. California law provides workers with important protections from wage theft.
In most cases it is possible to recover unpaid wages up to four years before a wage complaint is filed. California law makes it unlawful for an employer to retaliate against an employee for filing a complaint of unpaid wages. You can also recover unpaid wages from your former employer. If a large number of workers are affected, one or two current or ex-employees may be able to file a class-action complaint to recover lost wages for everyone.
In addition to recovering unpaid wages, you may be able to recover substantial penalties from your employer, and interest on your wages.
If your employer has failed to pay you in full, you have the right to recover the unpaid wages. You may also obtain additional damages from your employer for the wage violations.
McCormack Law Firm is experienced in handling all types of wage disputes across the San Francisco Bay Area. If you suspect your employer has withheld your wages, contact us today to discuss your situation with an employment lawyer.
Other Unpaid Wage, Overtime, and Commission FAQs:
- Am I entitled to meal breaks and rest breaks if I am working remotely?
- Are computer programmers and tech workers exempt from overtime?
- Can an employer disclose my immigration status if I file a claim for unpaid wages?
- Can I get fired for claiming overtime pay?
- Can my employer change my commission plan or withhold commissions?
- Can my employer fire me for filing a wage claim?
- Can salaried workers earn overtime in California?
- Do I still get overtime if I am a commissioned salesperson?
- Does my employer have to pay me for off-the-clock work?
- Does my employer have to reimburse me for work expenses?
- How can a lawyer help with my claim for unpaid wages?
- How can I protect myself from wage theft?
- How can I tell if I am an independent contractor?
- How do I file a claim for unpaid wages?
- How do I know if I am entitled to overtime pay?
- How do I know if my employer needs to pay me overtime?
- How is overtime pay calculated in California?
- How much time do I have to file a wage claim in California?
- How much time do I have to file an overtime claim?
- If I receive a salary, am I exempt from overtime?
- If my employment is terminated, is my employer still required to pay me my commissions?
- Is my employer allowed to deduct anything from my paycheck?
- Is my employer allowed to deduct tips from my paycheck?
- Is my employer allowed to withhold my final wages after firing me?
- Is my employer required to pay for my meal break and rest breaks?
- My employer is forcing me to work through meal breaks. What should I do?
- What are some examples of wage theft?
- What are the main differences between an independent contractor and an employee?
- What is an exempt and non-exempt employee?
- What is the minimum wage in California?
- What should I do if I suspect my employer is withholding wages?
- What should I do if my boss asks me to work off the clock?
- What types of damages can I get in a wage claim against my employer?
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