Why You May Need a Lawyer to Recover Overtime Pay

Why You May Need a Lawyer to Recover Overtime Pay - Gavel on judges desk

Overtime Lawyer

Although employers are legally required to pay their employees overtime if they work over 40 hours in a single week, some may still not follow these regulations. If you haven’t been properly compensated for working overtime at your job, you may have a legal case against your employer. It may be in your best interest to work with an experienced lawyer.

Here are a few reasons why you may need to hire an overtime lawyer to recover your wages.

A Lawyer Can Look for Different Ways Your Employer Broke the Law

Unfortunately, some employers may use various illegal tactics to avoid paying their workers overtime. If you don’t have a legal background, you may not recognize these tactics. A skilled overtime lawyer, on the other hand, can. Employers may break the law regarding overtime pay by incorrectly classifying employees as exempt or contractors, docking hours, denying nonexempt employees overtime if they are paid a salary and failing to pay employees for the time they spend in meetings.

A Lawyer Can Tell You When You Need to File a Claim

Like other legal claims, unpaid overtime wages claims come with a statute of limitations. In Illinois, you typically have three years to pursue a wage claim. An overtime lawyer can ensure that you file your claim by the deadline so that you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.

A Lawyer Can Determine If You Were Retaliated Against

It is perfectly within your right to speak up if you believe you haven’t been paid all of your wages. However, some employers may still become angry and retaliate against their employees. For example, your employer may have assigned you to undesirable tasks or demoted you. In extreme cases, employers may terminate their employees for speaking up about unpaid wages. A skilled lawyer can help determine if you have been retaliated against and advise you on what to do next.

A Lawyer Can Help You Decide If You Should Pursue a Class Action Lawsuit

If other employees in your company haven’t been paid overtime, it may be worth it to pursue a class action lawsuit. An experienced overtime lawyer can look into your case and determine if you should take part in a class action lawsuit. 

If you have been denied overtime pay, you may want to schedule a consultation with an overtime lawyer, like one from Disparti Law Group.