Unpaid Wages & Overtime

Unpaid Wage Lawyer in Boston

In the United States, employers are legally required to pay workers for their time. If you are not getting paid at least minimum wage for work you have performed, your employer has likely violated federal and state employment laws.

Each Boston-based wages lawyer at Gordon Law Group, LLP represents current and former employees nationwide who are in this situation. Our attorneys are committed to fighting for workers’ rights and helping them obtain the compensation they are legally entitled to receive. Gordon Law Group, LLP’s attorneys focus on employment law matters and are frequently cited as some of the best employment lawyers in the country.

Understanding Your Legal Rights Related to Unpaid Wages

A Gordon Law Group, LLP wages attorney can help you with a variety of issues related to compensation. In some situations, employers pay workers but fail to provide minimum wage, commissions, or tips. In other cases, employers do not pay undocumented workers. Failure to pay at least the current minimum wage violates both state and federal laws.

Timing of Payments and Final Wages

Employers must comply with laws regarding the timing of payments. This includes paying employees who have been fired or laid off all earned compensation up to the last day of employment. Under the Massachusetts Wage Act, terminated employees are also entitled to immediate payment for earned but unused vacation time.

Illegal Pay Deductions and Off-the-Clock Work

Some workers may have their pay docked without permission, be required to work “off the clock,” or work overtime without proper compensation. These practices are unlawful, and employees have the right to recover wages owed.

Overtime and Misclassification Issues

Hourly workers misclassified as salaried or “exempt” from overtime rules may be entitled to additional pay. Non-exempt employees working more than 40 hours per week are entitled to 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for overtime. Employers may attempt to misclassify workers or pay a flat salary to avoid overtime obligations, which is illegal.

Federal Wage Protections

Your employer cannot legally withhold pay. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governs minimum wages, overtime, employment of minors, and record-keeping requirements. Seasonal workers are also covered by the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA), which sets wage standards and requires employers to disclose pay terms before hiring. State laws often provide additional protections beyond federal requirements.

Massachusetts Wage Act Protections

Employers who violate wage laws may owe significant penalties. Under the Massachusetts Wage Act, employees can recover treble damages, attorneys’ fees, interest, and other costs. This law ensures workers can challenge unfair wage practices without incurring prohibitive expenses.

Employee Rights Regardless of Employer Intent

Employees are protected whether an employer intentionally or accidentally failed to pay wages. Violations include withholding pay or tips, failing to pay overtime, commissions, regular wages, or accrued but unused vacation time.

Other Common Violations

Employers may also violate the Massachusetts Wage Act by misclassifying employees as independent contractors, misclassifying exempt vs. non-exempt employees, failing to pay undocumented workers, requiring off-the-clock work, or failing to provide prevailing wages on public works projects.

An Unpaid Wages Attorney Can Help You Recover What You’re Owed

For decades, the attorneys at Gordon Law Group, LLP have been helping victims of wage discrimination and wage theft recover from employers, sending a powerful message that such non-payment or underpayment is unacceptable. We know employment laws, and we stay on top of the latest legislation, developments and legal decisions so we can provide clients the representation they deserve.

Regardless of where you are in your career or what kind of work you do, Gordon Law Group, LLP can help you fight for your compensation. Every situation is different, but the laws apply to all employers. If your current or former employer is not paying you at least minimum wage for your time, contact Gordon Law Group, LLP to schedule a consultation with an unpaid wage lawyer in Boston.