You're Probably Getting Screwed by Wage Theft

What is one of the most costly crimes in America? So much so that from 2017 to 2020 $3 billion was recovered by it but it happens much, much more.

That’s right, WAGE THEFT!

COURIER @CourierNewsroom

American workers are being robbed. Nationally, workers are underpaid by as much as $50 billion each year due to wage theft.

Wage theft occurs any time an employer does not pay an employee everything the employee is owed by law.

Nationally, employees are underpaid by as much as $50 billion dollars each year due to wage theft. No group of workers is immune from this, but low-wage workers are particularly vulnerable. Wage theft can take as much as 10% of a low-wage worker’s annual earnings.

Here are some signs you might be a victim of wage theft:

• Your paycheck is repeatedly incorrect, even after you’ve asked about it

• You don’t get to take a meal break or have to do work tasks even though you’re clocked out

• You’re an hourly worker who completes overtime hours but doesn’t get overtime pay

• Your boss tells you to work off the clock

• Your workplace misclassifies your work status, preventing you from receiving minimum wage or overtime pay (For example, you’re a contractor for a company that’s doing the work of an employee, but you don’t get the same benefits the employees do)

• You buy something with your own money for your employer, but they don’t reimburse you

• You leave a job, but your employer doesn’t pay your final paycheck

In 2021, food service and construction workers were the most affected followed by workers in retail, agriculture (both farm workers and meatpackers), and healthcare (especially nurses). 

Wage theft often goes unreported because employees fear repercussions from their employers for filing complaints. However, it's actually illegal for employers to retaliate against their employees for exercising their rights as workers.

One reason wage theft is so common is because many employees aren't aware of what constitutes wage theft. As one expert says "We don't do labor training in our schools.”

So what should you do if you think wage theft is happening to you?

First, talk to your employer. Maybe it was an honest mistake. But if things continue to happen, file a complaint with the Department of Labor. 

You can call them at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243) Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. All calls are confidential.

YOU’RE PROBABLY (ALSO) GETTING SCREWED BY:

CHILD LABOR LAWS

Child labor law violations have risen 37% in the last year!!! Since 2015 violations have skyrocketed 283% with at least 10 states have introduced or passed laws rolling back child labor protections in the past two years (Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin). 

NOT THE USDA

In some good news, the Agriculture Department is scheduled to publish a proposed rule that would remove current regulatory requirements that prevent online shopping in the WIC program. 

MONOPOLIES

Thousands of organizations worldwide, hundreds of Nobel laureates and former prime ministers and presidents, and even the Pope demand an emergency waiver of Big Pharma monopolies now imposed by trade agreements. These barriers empower a few pharmaceutical corporations to decide how much and where vital COVID-19 medicines will be made and sold.

DEREGULATION

And

BEFORE YOU GO

Before you go, I need two things from you: 1) if you like something, please share it on social media or the next time you have coffee with a friend. 2) Ideas, if you have any ideas for future newsletter content please comment below. Thank you.

Standing Tall for All,

J.D. Scholten

---