Palm Beach Gardens Wage Theft Attorney

There are certain laws that govern employee compensation, such as the minimum wage. When an employer violates these rules, it is considered wage theft. And as with any type of theft the victims–in this case the workers–have the right to take legal action to recover their rightful property.

Wage theft is a much more common problem than most people realize. Employers often act with impunity, thinking that nobody will call them out on their behavior. But if you are a worker who has been improperly deprived of their pay, you do not have to put up with such attitudes. A qualified Palm Beach Gardens wage theft attorney can represent you in taking legal action. At the Sconzo Law Office, P.A., we will work to ensure you receive everything you are entitled to under the law.

The Different Kinds of Wage Theft in Florida

Wage theft can take many forms. Some of the more common issues we assist clients with include:

• Minimum wage. Both federal and Florida state law require employers to pay most hourly workers a specified minimum wage. Florida’s minimum wage is scheduled to rise to $15 per hour by 2026.
• Overtime pay. Non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a given workweek are entitled to overtime pay equal to 150 percent of their normal hourly wage.
• Misclassification. Certain employees are exempt from minimum wage and overtime rules, such as those employed as salaried executive, administrative, or professional workers. Some employers may attempt to misclassify a non-exempt worker as an exempt employee in order to avoid their legal wage obligations. In other cases, an employer may try and falsely claim that an employer is actually an “independent contractor” who is not protected by minimum wage and overtime rules at all.
• Illegal deductions. Employers are required to make certain deductions from employee wages for items like taxes. An employer may also choose to make deductions for other items, such as the cost of providing employee uniforms or tools. But such deductions cannot legally bring an employee’s hourly rate below the minimum wage.
• Rest breaks. Neither federal nor Florida law requires employers to offer meal or rest breaks to employees. However, if an employer requires an employee to remain “on duty” during a meal or rest period–e.g., they have to work through lunch–then the employer must pay them for that time.

Contact the Sconzo Law Office Today

The Fair Labor Standards Act and Florida law provide a number of remedies for wage theft. You can take an employer to court and get the money you are owed. In many cases, an employer will settle a claim simply to avoid the possibility of litigation. But your chances of obtaining such a resolution is significantly improved if you work with an experienced Palm Beach Gardens wage theft attorney.

So if your employer is not paying you your full wages, do not hesitate to stand up for yourself. Contact the Sconzo Law Office, P.A., today to schedule a complimentary consultation.