Wage and Hour Laws in Washington DC
Even though many strides towards improvement have been made for workers rights in the past century, their is still a great need for FLSA attorneys Washington DC workers can rely on.
Our Washington, DC Fair Labor Standards Act attorneys fight vigorously to ensure that employees are compensated as required by law.
Although they affect almost all of us, surprisingly few people fully understand federal and state wage and hour laws. These laws dictate how much employers are required to pay employees and mandate that employers must appropriately compensate employees for their overtime work.
Some employers are even unaware of the full implications of these laws. Whether intentional or inadvertent, thousands of employers take advantage of their employees by failing to pay minimum wage and overtime as mandated by law. If you believe that you are not receiving minimum wage or overtime as required by law, contact our highly rated FLSA attorneys Washington DC employees are fortunate to have on their side.
Minimum Wage
Minimum wage is the lowest rate of pay that any employer can legally pay an employee for hourly work.
As of July 1, 2016, the minimum wage rose from $10.50/hour to $11.50/hour in Washington DC.
In Maryland, the current minimum wage is $9.25/hour and will rise to $10.10/hour effective July 1, 2018
Virginia, like some states, does not set its own minimum wage. Instead, they adopt the federal minimum set by the Fair Labor Standards Act. This amount currently stands at $7.25/hour.
If you do not receive minimum wage pay, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with a highly rated team of FLSA attorneys Washington DC workers are fortunate to have available to them.
If you live in Washington DC or in the surrounding states and think that your employer is not following the laws set forth by the Fair Labor Standards Act, contact one of the knowledgeable FLSA attorneys Washington DC is fortunate to have access to at Cohen & Cohen
In most states, certain employees are exempt from minimum wages laws. In D.C., for example, employers can pay handicapped workers less than the minimum wage if the employer obtains a certificate from the Department of Labor. Other exceptions include children under 18 years of age, the elderly, and students who attend an institution that employs them. In certain circumstances, minimum wage laws may not be applicable to these groups.
In Washington, DC, employers must pay tipped employees $2.77 per hour and the employer is required to compensate employees if their weekly pay, including tips, does not meet the current minimum wage.
In addition, employers may not deduct expenses except as allowed by law. Employees must receive an itemized statement with each paycheck detailing any deductions. Our Washington, DC Fair Labor Standards Act attorneys understand these often complex laws and will work to aggressively defend your rights by law. If you are looking for qualified FLSA attorneys Washington DC can count on, contact Cohen & Cohen
Overtime Pay For Residents of Washington DC
Most states have laws that require employers to pay their employees at least one and one-half times the regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a given week. Even in states that have no such laws, employers are still bound by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
Much like the minimum wage laws, overtime laws include a number of exemptions.
In D.C., for example, the largest restriction is on employees who serve in executive, administrative, professional, computer, or outside sales positions. These types of employees are not legally entitled to overtime pay. Other exceptions include people employed in private households who live on the premises, seaman, railroad workers, newspaper delivery people, parking lot attendants and car washers.
If you think that your employers is not paying you what you are entitled to, or if you just want a sound legal opinion, contact one of the FLSA attorneys Washington DC employees are lucky to have available to them, at Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Many employers erroneously believe that all salaried employees are exempt from overtime pay. When determining if a salaried employee is exempt or not, the law considers the actual duties of the employee, not their official title. Although the law is clear as to the duties that make an employee exempt, your official job duties may not be as clear. Cohen & Cohen’s FLSA attorneys Washington DC community members recommend, may be able to help you to understand your rights and if they are being violated by your employer.
Despite the exceptions to overtime and minimum wage laws, employers are wise to err on the side of compliance. Not only may this improve employee morale, but also, it will protect them from expensive and embarrassing wage and hour lawsuits. Although it is the responsibility of the employer to be aware of and adhere to the law, the regulations, especially with regard to overtime pay can be complicated. Sometimes well-intentioned employers may fail to understand the law, or unscrupulous employers may try to deceive you into believing that you are not eligible for overtime pay. If you believe your employer has denied you the overtime pay that you deserve, either intentionally or unintentionally, contact one of our knowledgeable FLSA attorneys Washington DC workers can rely on, today.
Other Provisions Under the FLSA
The Fair Labor Standards Act contains several other provisions to protect the rights of workers. Employers must keep time and payroll records for a minimum of three years. These records can be useful if you have not received minimum wage pay or overtime pay. Remember, however, that you should keep your own records as well.
Employers must pay wages at least twice per month, and within 10 working days of the end of the pay period. In addition, employees in Washington, DC are entitled to accrue sick leave at a minimum of 1 hour per 87 hours worked (based on the total number of employers). An employer can only garnish wages if they have a court order. If your employer has garnished your wages without a court order or is not adhering to the Fair Labor Standards Act, our FLSA attorneys Washington DC is proud to call its own, may be able to help you.
For employees, understanding your rights under the applicable wage and hour laws is critical. Lawmakers designed these laws to protect employees from exploitation. If you work for an employer who is not meeting standards, you may be entitled to compensation. However, the time you have to recover your back wages is limited. Whenever possible, keep detailed records of the hours you have worked and your pay, and retain any pay statements that you receive. If you believe you have been a victim of a wage and hour violation, contact a licensed team of FLSA attorneys Washington DC victims of these violations can count on, as soon as possible.
Whether you know you have a case or just think you might have one, the FLSA attorneys Washington DC trusts at Cohen & Cohen, are available for a free case evaluation any time of the day or night, 365 days a year.
