Unpaid overtime is a significant problem that could be depriving you of thousands of dollars in pay you are rightfully owed. A North Ridgeville wage and hour lawyer at Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC is prepared to go up against your employer to pursue the compensation you deserve for unpaid overtime hours. We offer free consultations to help you understand your rights as an employee.
Overtime is a worker’s right under both state and federal law. Section 4111.03 of the Revised Code of Ohio states that “an employer shall pay an employee for overtime at a wage rate of one and one-half times the employee’s wage rate for hours worked in excess of forty hours in one workweek…” This is aligned with the federal Fair Labor Standard Act, which has the same requirement.
These overtime laws mean that if you work any hours over 40 in a single week, you deserve time-and-a-half pay for each overtime hour worked. For example, if you typically make $16 an hour, your overtime rate of pay would be $24. If your employer tries to pay you less in overtime than you deserve, you have the right to file a claim or lawsuit in pursuit of financial compensation.
Employers in Ohio may use many methods to intentionally or unintentionally fail to pay workers adequate overtime. They may knowingly use deceptive business practices, such as misclassifying employees as independent contractors, who are exempt from overtime pay. They may also unknowingly make payroll mistakes due to poor bookkeeping.
If you know you are entitled to overtime pay, pay close attention to your hours worked. Don’t rely on your employer’s bookkeeping alone; keep track of your own hours to calculate how much overtime you are owed. If you are not receiving the appropriate wages or your boss requires you to work “off the clock,” it may be time to take legal action. An unpaid overtime lawyer in North Ridgeville can help you fight for the wages you rightfully earned.
Unpaid overtime is a form of wage theft. It is a violation of the law that should not be ignored. As a worker who is owed unpaid overtime in North Ridgeville, take the following steps toward a legal remedy:
Hiring a lawyer doesn’t mean your case is guaranteed to go to trial. Your lawyer can take over communications with your employer to help you get the backpay you deserve outside of court. Only if settlement negotiations fail will your attorney try litigation for a positive resolution.
If you need a North Ridgeville or Cleveland unpaid overtime attorney, call our office for a free consultation. Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC are skilled attorneys who are passionate about protecting the rights of employees in Ohio. Contact our North Ridgeville unpaid overtime lawyers today about your legal matter at no cost or obligation. Call (216) 446-8886 or send us a message.