Even though federal overtime provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to protect hourly workers, there is still a need for a good overtime claims law firm Washington, DC workers can rely on.
Hourly Overtime Pay
Hourly wage earners who are not considered to be exempt employees are supposed to receive overtime pay for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The minimum rate for overtime pay is supposed to be time and one-half of an employee’s regular hourly rate. In other words if an non-exempt hourly employee works overtime for one hour, he or she should receive an hour and a half’s worth of pay; if they work overtime for two hours, they should receive the equivalent of three hours of pay; and so on. When a person who is employed in Washington, DC is not sure of their rights and if they are being violated, they can contact an overtime claims law firm for guidance.
Washington DC Wages
Washington DC’s minimum wage, $12.50/hour, is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour. Washington DC’s minimum wage for government jobs is even higher at $13.80/hour. Washington, DC’s minimum wage is going to increase to $15/hour by the year 2020. As of 2018, the only time an employer is allowed to decrease the minimum wage required is by using an employee’s tips and gratuities to reduce the minimum wage required to $3.89/hour. This will increase to $5.00/hour in 2020. If you work in Washington DC and are not receiving the pay you are supposed to receive, it may be in your best interest to contact an overtime claims law firm.
When an Employer Does Not Pay an Employee Overtime
Many people are fearful of retribution if they ask their employers for the overtime pay they are supposed to get and for owed back wages. It is recommended that an employee try to get their employer to give them what they are owed before filing a wage/hour or labor standards claim. Many people find it helpful to have a Washington, DC overtime claims law firm explain to them what their rights are before they do this. Many people also feel more comfortable doing this when they know that they have a lawyer from a reputable law firm on their side.
Overtime laws also apply to wages when employees work through their meal break, have to wait to clock in, while working at home, or while on call.
Overtime pay is supposed to be included in the paycheck that covers the time period during which an employee worked overtime. If this does not happen, it should be brought to the employer’s attention right away. If an employee does this and has not received a response, has been told more than once that the ‘check is on its way’, or been told that he or she is not owed or entitled to overtime pay, it may be in their best interest to enlist the help of an overtime claims law firm in Washington, DC that has a track record of successfully defending employee’s rights.
For an overtime claims law firm Washington, DC employees can rely on, contact Cohen & Cohen, for a free case consultation, today.
