Overtime refers to an employee exceeding 40 hours of work in a workweek. According to state and federal law, employers must pay a special, higher rate for every overtime hour worked. If an employer violates this law, it is a form of wage theft that could entitle the underpaid employee to financial compensation. Discuss a potential unpaid overtime claim with a wage theft attorney in Strongsville at no cost today when you contact Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC.
Ohio’s overtime law (Section 4111.03 of the Ohio Revised Code) requires employers to pay employees at a rate of one and one-half times the employee’s standard wage for every hour worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek. Employers who gross less than $150,000 per year are exempt from this requirement, as are employees employed in agriculture.
Under this rule, any overtime hour worked must be paid at “time and a half,” or 1.5 times the employee’s normal working wage. For example, if a worker typically makes Ohio’s minimum wage of $10.10 per hour, he or she would be owed $15.15 for every overtime hour worked. Anything less than this for overtime hours worked would be wage theft.
It is against the law for employers to miscalculate overtime hours worked, pay less than the required amount in overtime compensation or require “off-the-clock” work. These are common tactics used by employers to exploit their workers and avoid paying overtime. If you believe you are a victim of unpaid overtime in Strongsville, you may be entitled to financial compensation for backpay for your missing wages as well as your litigation costs. In cases involving willful violations of the law by an employer, you may also be eligible for an additional amount in “liquidated damages.”
If you are not being fairly compensated for overtime work in Strongsville, start by documenting the problem, such as keeping copies of your employment documents, paystubs, timecards and bank statements. Try communicating the problem to your employer. There may be a misunderstanding or clerical error that can be remedied. If your employer is refusing to pay you fairly and correctly for overtime hours, however, contact us.
We will review your situation to determine if there has been an overtime law violation. If so, we can assist you with the claims process. You can report your employer to the Ohio Wage and Hour Bureau to help you enforce the state’s overtime laws. Then, our lawyers will help you pursue the compensation to which you are entitled under state law and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which also requires overtime pay.
Our Strongsville wage and hour attorneys can help you seek fair financial compensation for unpaid overtime in Strongsville, Ohio or the surrounding area. We understand the laws surrounding these cases and are committed to helping hard-working employees get the wages they are lawfully owed. Contact us online or call (216) 446-8886 today to schedule a free case evaluation. Our unpaid overtime attorneys are here to protect your rights.
