Los Angeles Fair Labor Standards Act Lawyer

Every worker deserves a fair wage. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) is a federal law that protects employees’ rights and establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, and several other labor standards for employers. The State of California expands these protections, offering some of the strongest worker protections in the United States.

At Levin & Nalbandyan Trial Lawyers, we believe that issues with fair pay should not be tolerated. You could have legal recourse if you were denied fair wages, required to work overtime without sufficient pay, or misclassified as an independent contractor. Our Los Angeles Fair Labor Standards Act lawyer could help you fight unfair practices and recover lost wages and other damages. Our attorneys are experienced in a wide range of employment issues and have an in-depth knowledge of the FLSA and its requirements. Contact us today to find out how we could help.

How the Fair Labor Standards Act Protects Workers

The FLSA sets various standards for employers in order to protect workers’ wage and hour rights. Federal law establishes a minimum wage that an employer can pay their workers. This rate is currently $7.25 per hour.

The FLSA also outlines how overtime pay must work. An employer is required to pay 1.5 times a nonexempt employee’s regular hourly rate for any hours over 40 that they worked in a workweek. The protections established within the FLSA are extended to nonexempt employees. Exempt employees, like executives and some salaried workers, are not entitled to overtime pay.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is tasked with enforcing the FLSA. Workers may file complaints with the DOL against their employer for violating wage laws. Los Angeles residents may choose to file a complaint with California’s Labor Commissioner’s Office due to the fact that California’s labor laws can be more protective of employees. Our attorneys in Los Angeles are experienced in FLSA requirements and can help determine which path forward best serves a client’s interests.

Common Wage Violations

Even with the protections granted to workers by the FLSA and California’s labor laws, many employers violate wage and hour laws. Whether these violations are intentional or a result of ignorance of the relevant laws, our lawyers could help with several common FLSA violations that workers may face in Los Angeles.

An employer may violate the law by paying employees less than the minimum wage. However, a minimum wage violation may not be as simple as failing to pay a legal hourly rate. It could also occur when an employer fails to pay an employee for all hours worked or misclassifies an employee as a tipped worker or independent contractor.

Unpaid overtime is another common wage violation. An employee may have a valid legal claim if they were not paid 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked over eight hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. Employers must pay double-time for hours over 12 worked in a day.

The law requires employers to reimburse employees for work-related expenses, and failure to do so is a violation of the FLSA. Withholding final paychecks from employees immediately upon termination, delaying payment, or failing to compensate employees for unused vacation days also violates the FLSA.

Call an FLSA Attorney for Help With a Wage Issue in Los Angeles

At Levin & Nalbandyan Trial Lawyers, we believe in fair pay and the protection of worker rights. Our Los Angeles Fair Labor Standards Act lawyers could assist you if you believe your employer has engaged in a wage violation. You could be entitled to back pay and damages. Contact us to discuss your case and learn how we could help you.