PREVAILING WAGES
Every employee deserves to receive the wages they are entitled to and worked hard for. The Ohio Revised Code Section 4115 says that companies involved in public works and public improvement products have the duty to pay what’s known as a “prevailing wage.” When an employer pays less than what is noted in state regulations, they can be held legally responsible through a wage and hour claim. Prevailing wage claims are difficult to pursue, which is why you need to speak with a skilled Cincinnati prevailing wages attorney.
At Coffman Legal, our experienced team can help you with any legal matters when an employer fails to properly pay you the prevailing wage you’re entitled to receive. Contractors and subcontractors can both be held accountable for their failure to pay prevailing wages properly. To learn more about how we can help, contact our office to schedule an initial consultation.
Prevailing wages are the hourly wages that trade laborers establish and regulate. These laws protect laborers to ensure they receive the proper prevailing wage. This amount of compensation is the rate that must be paid to any skilled trade employee who is working on public improvement projects. The prevailing wage law in Ohio is comprehensive in that they apply to more than the hourly rate that employers owe their workers. Workers must also receive the appropriate benefits such as health insurance coverage, life insurance, and a pension. Ohio’s prevailing wage law requires employers to: Pay the right prevailing wage for the worker’s correct classification; Pay the worker’s overtime wages earned; Maintain complete and accurate time records; Not deduct food, lodging, or transportation unless it’s already pre-approved to do so; Submit certified payroll reports; and Supply all subcontractors with the schedule on the applicable prevailing wage rate.
Wage and hour violations are a severe problem in Ohio. Sometimes contractors and subcontractors make mistakes, but other times the violations are purposeful. It’s estimated that Ohio workers could be shorted hundreds of millions of dollars in income every year, placing Ohio as one of the top states for wage theft in the country. Many of the noted violations relate to prevailing wages. Some of the most common prevailing wage violations include: Not paying workers the proper wage; Not paying workers for all the hours they worked; Misclassifying skilled workers; Taking unlawful deductions from a worker’s hours worked; and Failing to compensate workers for any overtime they worked. If you suspect you’re the victim of a prevailing wage claim, you need to contact Coffman Legal Right away.
It’s hard for workers to determine sometimes when there has been a prevailing wage violation in some instances. You need a skilled attorney who can review your issues and let you know whether you have a valid claim. Our Cincinnati prevailing wage attorneys will sit down and review your claim with you. We will let you know your legal rights and the best course of action for your situation. We will answer any questions you may have as well. Should you choose to proceed, we will help you pursue the compensation you’re owed under Ohio law. To learn more, contact Coffman Legal today to schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation. Let us put our skills and employment law experience to work for you.