MINIMUM WAGE VIOLATION
All employees in Ohio and throughout the rest of the country deserve to be paid fairly for the work they perform. Unfortunately, employers find many ways to deny employees their fair wage. They may misclassify employees, make illegal deductions from an employee’s paycheck, or simply withhold wages without explanation. If you are not being paid your rightful minimum wage, you are not alone. It is important to hold your employer liable for minimum wage violations, so you and others can recover the wages you rightfully deserve. Our Akron minimum wage violation attorneys can help you make things right.
The minimum wage in Ohio changes every year to reflect the current rate of inflation. The minimum wage all employees in the state are entitled to receive in 2021 is $8.80 for every hour worked. This is an increase of ten cents from 2020, when the minimum wage was $8.70 per hour worked. It is important to note that the minimum wage in Ohio is constitutional. It was in 2006 that voters in the state voted to amend the constitution to reflect the minimum wage employers must pay. A constitutional minimum wage is significant. It means that neither the governor, nor the general assembly, can make changes to the law. Employers that do not pay the appropriate minimum wage are committing a violation and employees can hold them liable for it.
While most employees are entitled to receive the minimum law outlined by state law, there are some exemptions that apply. These include: Tipped employees: Some employees, such as servers in a restaurant, often receive tips that are considered part of their wages. Tipped employees earn a lower minimum wage because their tips are intended to cover a portion of their wages. It is crucial for all tipped employees to know that the wage given by their employer, combined with the tips they receive, must still meet the minimum wage outlined by state law. Family-owned businesses: Ohio is home to many great family-owned businesses. When family members work for these businesses, they are exempt from the minimum wage law. Casual workers: Casual workers are those that work in or around an employer’s property or within someone’s residence on a casual basis. Disabled workers: In some cases, a disabled worker may receive less than minimum wage, when state law permits. In addition to these exemptions, the federal Fair Labor Standards Act outlines additional exemptions to the federal minimum wage law. Any time employers do not comply with these laws, they are committing a minimum wage violation for which they can be held liable.
Employees are sometimes hesitant to hold their employers liable, even when they have committed a wage violation. You do not have to go it alone. At Coffman Legal, LLC, our Akron minimum wage violation attorneys are committed to holding employers liable for their actions. We will help you recover the damages you deserve, and also ensure they do not commit these violations in the future. Call us today at (614) 949-1181 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.