Proving Wage and Hour Violations in Columbus
Unfortunately, even though there are laws meant to ensure workers are treated fairly and compensated appropriately, wage and hour violations are common in the United States of America, Ohio not being an exception. Wage and hour violations are a range of illegal practices by employers related to employee compensation and working hours. Fortunately, when an employer commits a wage and hour violation, the affected employee can hold the employer accountable and seek justice and compensation. The law firm of Brian G. Miller CO., L.P.A., is here to guide you through the process of seeking and obtaining justice and compensation after an employer commits a wage and hour violation. When dealing with a wage and hour violation case in Columbus, Ohio there are several steps that you need to take to prove your case. In this article, we discuss some of the steps to take to prove your Columbus wage and violation case.
Understanding Wage and Hour Violations
Before going into the steps to take to prove wage and hour violations, it is important that we first look at what constitutes such violations. Simply put, an employer commits a wage and hour violation when they commit an action that results in a worker not getting appropriate pay for their work. In Columbus, wage and hour violations can take many forms, including the following;
- Failure to pay minimum wage: Employers in Ohio are required to pay workers at least the state’s minimum wage. The minimum wage in Ohio for 2024 is $10.45 per hour for non-tipped employees and employers can pay tipped employees $5.25 per hour, plus tips,so long as their tips amount to at least minimum wage. Failure to pay an employee at least the state’s minimum wage is a wage and hour violation.
- Unlawful wage deduction: In Ohio, there are limits on what employers can deduct from a worker’s pay. If unlawful deductions result in individuals earning less than minimum wage, additional claims can be pursued.
- Failure to pay overtime: According to Ohio law, employers must pay workers who work over 40 hours a week at a rate of one and a half their regular hourly pay rate for all excess hours.
- Failure to pay for “off the clock” work: Under certain circumstances, if an employer fails to pay an employee for work done before or after their scheduled shifts, they may commit a wage and hour violation.
Steps To Take to Prove Your Columbus Wage and Hour Violation Claim
The following are some of the crucial steps to take to prove your Columbus, Ohio wage and violation case.
- Gather Documentation
If you have a wage and hour violation case, one crucial step to take is to gather documents to support your claim. Documents that can help support your case include pay stubs, work schedules, emails and correspondence, company policies, and employment contracts.
- Collect Witness Testimonies
If there are people, such as your co-workers or supervisors, who are willing to provide testimonies regarding how your employer committed wage and hour violations, their testimonies can strengthen your case.
- Seek Legal Help
Proving that an employer committed wage and hour violations can be complex. Your employer most likely has a legal team by its side. In order to increase your chances of succeeding, it is advisable to seek the help of a qualified wage and hour lawyer.
Contact Our Skilled Columbus Wage and Hour Lawyers
The Columbus wage & hour attorneys at the law firm of Brian G. Miller CO., L.P.A., have experience representing workers in wage and hour violation cases. Take the first step toward seeking the justice and compensation you deserve by contacting us and scheduling a consultation.
Source:
com.ohio.gov/static/documents/2024_MW_Poster.pdf
