Karpf, Karpf and Cerutti P.C. | Attorneys At Law

215-639-0801 PA    609-683-4022 NJ     800-466-4003 NY

Karpf, Karpf and Cerutti P.C. | Attorneys At Law

215-639-0801

609-683-4022

Experienced Employment Litigators For Pennsylvania, New Jersey & New York

Have A Wage And Hour Claim? Contact Our Philadelphia FLSA Attorneys

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides vital baseline federal pay protections for workers in the country. These federal rules set the standards for minimum wage and overtime pay. However, the law does not cover every worker. The law allows employers to exempt certain executive, administrative, professional and outside sales employees from these requirements, provided they meet specific salary and job duty criteria defined by the Department of Labor. Furthermore, many states and cities mandate more generous wages and stricter overtime rules that take precedence over federal law.

Unfortunately, some businesses ignore the rules covering their location and refuse to pay their employees the wages they legally earned. At Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti, P.C., our employment law attorneys have over 100 years of experience, and they protect the rights of workers in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. We will do everything in our power to defend your right to fair wages. You can schedule your free consultation now by calling our Pennsylvania office at 215-639-0801 or our New Jersey office at 609-683-4022.

How The Fair Labor Standards Act Safeguards Worker Pay

The FLSA serves as the primary federal law governing wages and work hours in the United States. This act ensures that workers receive fair compensation for their labor by establishing a national minimum wage and mandating overtime pay for those who work more than 40 hours in a week. While the law protects a wide variety of workers, many employers still find ways to cut costs by ignoring these legal requirements. Our attorneys dedicate their work to identifying these illegal practices and holding companies accountable for the money they owe their staff.

Common violations of the FLSA include:

  • Refusing to pay the required overtime rates
  • Misclassifying employees as exempt to avoid paying overtime
  • Demanding that employees perform work off-the-clock
  • Taking inappropriate or illegal deductions from employee pay
  • Committing recordkeeping violations to hide actual hours worked

Our attorneys will investigate your claims and help determine if it makes sense to file a formal complaint.

When Should You Consider An FLSA Claim?

Clear legal standards dictate whether an employer is violating FLSA requirements. You do not have to guess if your rights were ignored; instead, look for specific signs that your company is breaking the law. You should consider taking legal action if you encounter any of the following situations:

  • Your employer fails to pay you proper overtime as a nonexempt employee.
  • Your employer has classified you as an independent contractor despite the economic realities of your work relationship, resulting in a denial of overtime pay.
  • You are required to perform work during unpaid meal periods or are not compensated for short rest breaks (typically lasting 20 minutes or less).
  • You faced a demotion or firing because you attempted to get an FLSA violation corrected.

Time is a critical factor in these cases. Generally, you can recover back wages for violations occurring within the two years prior to filing a lawsuit (extended to three years for willful violations). To file a lawsuit or legal action, you should gather documentation like pay stubs, time logs and employee handbooks. Our attorneys can help you evaluate your situation and show you how to obtain the documentation you need.

The FLSA is not the only law that protects employees regarding compensation. Some other laws, including state wage and collection laws, as well as the Employment Retirement Security Income Act (ERISA), also provide various protections. Our attorneys will review your case circumstances and determine what legal protections your employer may have ignored.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Don’t wait any longer to fight for the wages you worked so hard to earn. You can schedule your free consultation now by calling our Pennsylvania office at 215-639-0801 or our New Jersey office at 609-683-4022. We are also available via email.