How To Report A Wage Theft In California

As an employee in the United States, you have a legal right to the wages that you are contracted to, even if it is minimum wage. Wage theft doesn’t just happen when your employer is stealing your pay. It includes overtime pay, vacation pay, tips and gratuity, vacation pay, sick pay, minimum wage unlawful deductions, reimbursements on reasonable expenses, waiting time penalties, being paid cash under the table, and many other monetary compensation agreements that were made when you signed your employment contract. Unfortunately, despite this being legally mandated, many workers in the US are suffering from wage theft, where they are not getting the compensation they were promised.

Whether you are experiencing it now or not, it is important to know how you can report wage theft and get support. These avenues can change from state to state, so we have compiled your options here in California. Read on to find out more.

The Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division

On a federal level, you report the issue to the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. As they are tasked with enforcing the Free Labor Standards Act, they are the prime option for submitting a report. All reports are confidential and free; they will not check on the documentation status of whoever is reporting. To submit a report, contact your local or closest Wage & Hour Division District Office. Do note that you’ll need to prepare information such as the name of the company you worked with, the contact details for the company and the owner/your manager, the amount and method you are paid with, and the type of work that you were doing. It is also best to prepare evidence such as payslips or pay stubs.

California State Department of Labor

On a state level, the respective State Departments of Labor can have different provisions, such as a higher than national minimum wage, overtime rights, and other differences. It is possible to meet the requirements for federal regulations but fail at meeting state regulations.

To claim for wage theft in California, you’ll need to fill out a Claim Form (DLSE Form 1) or an Initial Report with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. If you have any questions, you can contact the Local Commissioner’s Office to get additional support.

Contact an Attorney

Whether this is your first time filing a report or if you have filed multiple ones, it is undeniable that experiencing wage theft is stressful. This is especially so with the varying federal and state regulations that might change depending on where you completed the workload, your company’s area, and where you’re registered as an employee. Hiring a professional unpaid wages lawyer to help with varying issues on minimum wage, sick pay, or unlawful deductions can help save you a lot of stress and research.

At Sirmabekian Law Firm, our professional and experienced team of lawyers is dedicated to ensuring that your rights and interests are protected in court. Legal processes can be confusing and difficult; our team is here to ensure that you get fair and honest treatment.