In Lorain, Ohio, every nonexempt employee who works more than 40 hours in one workweek is entitled to wages at a rate of one and one-half times his or her regular pay. This is the requirement under both state and federal law. If an employer fails to pay overtime, the underpaid worker has the right to pursue compensation through an employment law claim.
The Lorain unpaid overtime attorneys at Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC are dedicated to helping employees in Lorain and throughout Ohio recover unpaid overtime compensation. We know how to hold employers accountable for intentional and unintentional acts of wrongdoing. We can help you through negotiations if you believe you have been underpaid by your employer for overtime hours worked.
Hiring an experienced wage and hour attorney in Lorain to represent you can give you greater peace of mind as you take on the legal process. Your lawyer can help you understand your legal options and know what to expect from an unpaid overtime claim. You can trust your attorney to take over negotiations with your employer and seek maximum compensation for your unpaid wages and any other damages you are owed. If negotiations fail to result in a settlement, your lawyer can take your employment case to court to pursue justice.
Overtime pay is a legal requirement under Section 4111.03 of the Ohio Revised Code. This law states that employers must pay their employees a wage rate of one and one-half times the employee’s wage rate for any hour worked over 40 hours in one workweek. The same law exists on a federal level under the Fair Labor Standards Act. However, certain workers in Ohio are exempt from overtime.
State law lists employees who are not covered by the overtime provision, including an individual who is employed in agriculture, babysitters who work inside the employer’s home, most live-in companions, salespeople and certain motor carrier operators. In addition, employees who make more than $107,432 as an annual salary are exempt from the overtime law. If you are not sure whether you are exempt from overtime pay, consult with our attorneys.
Employers can get creative in how they avoid paying overtime to nonexempt employees. For example, some employers intentionally misclassify employees to make them exempt from overtime. Others improperly round down workers’ hours or illegally edit their timesheets. They can do this in a way that benefits the employer by allowing them to avoid paying overtime. Forcing employees to work off the clock without pay is also a way that employers can cheat their employees out of overtime pay.
Notify your employer that you are not receiving the overtime pay to which you are entitled by law. It may be an honest mistake on your employer’s part and the company may give you compensation for every dollar you are owed. If the issue is not resolved by your employer, you can file a complaint with the Ohio Bureau of Wage and Hour Administration. They will conduct an investigation and may require your employer to pay what is owed. The best way to protect your rights, however, is by contacting a unpaid overtime attorney in Lorain.
If you believe you deserve overtime pay by law but are not receiving it from your employer, you should consult with a Lorain unpaid overtime lawyer at Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC right away to discuss your legal options. We can advise and guide you from the beginning of your claim, as well as take over negotiations with your employer on your behalf. We know how frustrating this situation can be and that you’re in a delicate position. We will protect every legal right that you have with our in-depth knowledge of the law. Start by requesting a free case consultation with our unpaid overtime attorneys in Lorain. You can contact us at (216) 912-2221 today.