Long Island, New York (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) — Have you been denied paid overtime? It was an issue that came up in a recent a case the New York State Attorney General handled where a million dollar settlement was obtained on behalf of construction workers that were unjustly denied overtime pay by their employers. Just as there are labor laws that ensure the safety of workers, there are laws that protect the wages of workers from employer abuse.
The Fair Labor Standard Act created the standard of a 40-hour work week. Additional payment (overtime) is required for hours you have worked beyond 40 in a one week time frame, at a rate of 1.5 times your normal work rate (unless your job falls under an exempt category – usually managerial, executive and certain administrative or professional class of workers). If you are eligible for paid overtime, employers cannot make you waive these rights by pressuring, discriminating against or threatening to fire you. It is also illegal for employers to require you to “work off the clock”.
There are statute of limitations that restrict the amount of time you have on recovering back pay – usually 2 or 3 years depending on the nature of the case. So, if you believe that you are eligible to receive overtime pay that has been owed to you, act quickly, speak to a lawyer and file a complaint with the proper agencies. Protect your rights.