You work hard, and you deserve the money you earned. This is a simple concept, yet some employers still take advantage of employees and break laws by not paying earned wages. If you believe that you are the victim of an employer keeping your earned wages from you, it is not a battle you have to fight alone.
Arizona state laws and federal laws protect you against unfair and illegal payment practices, which include withholding your rightful wages for no reason. If you are not getting paid as you should, you have legal options for holding your employer accountable.
How do you know if you are a victim?
There are many ways that you could be facing unfair or illegal payment practices. Some of the most common ways that employers attempt to cheat workers out of the money they have earned include the following:
- Missing random paychecks
- Using invalid or irrelevant reasons for withholding a paycheck
- Withholding a bonus for invalid reasons
- Refusing to give you rightful paid leave
- Refusal to give you your last paycheck after quitting
- Firing employees for complaining about or reporting unfair payment practices
- Failing to pay overtime wages
You may be unsure of what to do, and the thought of squaring off against your employer may seem like a daunting prospect. However, employees facing this kind of situation have a rightful claim to back pay.
With help, you may be able to hold your employer accountable for the illegal and inappropriate actions taken against you. In addition to the wages you earned, your employer may be liable for other damages as well. These situations are complex, but a good place for any wronged employee to start is simply to seek a complete explanation of his or her entitlements and rights under state and federal laws.
Fighting for your rights as an employee
Maybe your paychecks aren’t the amount they should be or your employer simply didn’t pay you. If you earned the money, you have a right to it. Protecting your rights can start with simply understanding them, as well as understanding how to fight back against illegal treatment and unfair payment practices.
You may find it beneficial to learn more about potential back pay and how you can hold your employer accountable for the treatment you received. Don’t tolerate illegal treatment. Instead, pursue the wages you worked for and earned.