Tips on How to File a Wage Claim
If you’ve got an employer who has failed to pay your wage, refused to offer you rest breaks or meal breaks or violated any other wage law, you should consider filing a wage claim. However, before filing a wage claim, it is important that you ensure that you are informed about this subject of interest. Basically, researching about how to file a wage claim is one important factor you must adhere to if you want your employer not to violate your rights pertaining wage payment. This write- up will offer several factors that you need to know if your rights are being violated and thus you want to file a wage claim.
Reasons that Can Make you File a Wage Claim
An employee can file a personal wage claim in order to recover the following;
* Unpaid wages including bonuses, commissions and overtime.
* Not receiving a final pay- check
* Non- reimbursed business expenses.
* Liquidated damages as a result of not receiving minimum wage for the hours worked.
* Unauthorized deductions from paychecks.
How to File a Wage Claim
In the US, You are qualified to file a claim should your employer violate any state or federal law regarding your wages or work hours. For you to file a claim, you will be required to complete an Initial Claim or Report form and file it with DLSE i.e. Department of Labor Standards Enforcement. Generally, the form will require you to fill in information about you, your employer, your work schedule as well as what penalties or wages you’ re claiming,
Depending on the type of penalties or wages you’ re claiming, you may be required also to fill out other supplemental forms including:
^ DLSE Form 55 incase you’ re having varying or irregular work hours
^ DLSE Form 155 in case you’ re claiming unpaid commissions
^ DLSE Vacation Payment Schedule if you’re claiming unpaid vacation
You can either file the forms in person or by mail and send them to any local based DLSE office’s website.
Documents you Should Have for you to Qualify to File a Wage Claim
#1: Time Records:-
This involves copies you kept showing how many hours or days you worked.
#2: Pay stubs:-
This involves a copy of pay stubs you’ve received during the duration of time you’re claiming unpaid wages.
#3: Bounced Checks:-
These are copies of checks you received from your employer that bounced as a result of insufficient funds.
Last, but not least, this information is only a little of what you require knowing before filing a wage claim. Ensure that you click https://www.california-labor-law-attorney.com/ if you want to be informed more about filing a wage claim.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock/ Africa Studio