Wage theft happens more often than many people think – and when it does, you’ll need a Washington DC wage claim lawyer on your side. At Eric Siegel Law, we’ve helped our clients with employment law and wage claim issues, and we have over 30 years of experience. We’re ready to help you, and it all starts with getting informed. Read on to learn more about wage theft, and contact us today to get started.
Keep A Daily Record Of Hours Worked
Start by writing down the hours you work each day. Include when you clock in, when you clock out, and any breaks you take. If your job doesn’t have a timecard system, or if you’re regularly asked to do tasks before or after your official shift, it’s especially important to keep your own notes.
You don’t need a fancy system—just something reliable. Some people use a notebook. Others use a spreadsheet or a note app on their phone. The key is to be consistent and detailed. Try to jot down what you did each day and who was present when you worked extra hours.
Save Pay Stubs And Schedules
Hold on to your pay stubs, even if they’re digital. They show how many hours you were paid for, your rate of pay, and whether any deductions were made. Compare those numbers with the records you’re keeping. If there’s a gap between the hours worked and what you were paid, that may be a sign something’s wrong.
It also helps to save your work schedule. That includes printed schedules, screenshots of text messages, or emails from a manager. Schedules can help show how many hours you were expected to work and whether any shifts changed at the last minute.
Document Communication With Your Employer
If you’ve talked to a supervisor or HR about your pay, try to keep a written record. If the conversation happened in person, write down what was said, who said it, and when it happened. If the conversation took place by email, text, or chat, save copies.
This kind of record can show that you brought the issue up and how your employer responded. It also helps support your version of events if the company’s explanation doesn’t match your experience – or even more seriously, if you suspect discrimination plays a part in your lack of fair treatment.
Look For Patterns Over Time
Wage theft isn’t always a one-time issue. It often happens over weeks or months. Maybe you’re working through lunch every day without being paid for it. Or maybe you’re regularly clocking out and then asked to keep working. These kinds of patterns are easier to prove when you have a timeline to show.
If you’re paid a salary, you might not immediately notice a problem. But if you’re working more than 40 hours a week and not getting overtime, that could still count as wage theft depending on your job duties and pay level.
You Don’t Have To Figure It Out On Your Own
At Eric Siegel Law, we’ve worked with many employees who kept good records and were able to recover unpaid wages. We’ve also spent years working with clients just like you. We’re ready to use our experience to walk you through your case. Contact us today to get started.