Kensington, MD Wage and Hour Violation Lawyers
Reliable Attorneys Representing Employees in Wage Theft Claims in Kensington, Maryland
If your employer has failed to pay you for your labor, you may have grounds to file a wage theft claim to get compensation for your losses. However, this process is often easier said than done. To get fair payment for your lost wages, you will have to provide proof of the theft and determine how much you are owed. A Kensington wage theft attorney can help you investigate your employer and advocate for your right to fair payment.
Having a skilled legal advocate and negotiator on your side can make it much easier to pursue a wage theft claim. At Melehy & Associates LLC, we are passionate about enforcing employees' rights. When you work with our firm, we will do everything in our power to help you get paid for your losses.
How to Identify Wage Theft
There are several ways in which an employer may commit wage theft. Sometimes, it may involve frivolous deductions on your paycheck, like charges for your uniform or equipment. In other cases, it may involve unpaid labor, like requiring you to work off the clock or not paying you for overtime work.
Holding onto your pay stubs and keeping a paper trail is critical for combating wage theft. If you have any reason to suspect that your employer is withholding your wages, you should compare your hours worked to the pay you have received. Discrepancies in your hours worked could indicate a wage/hour violation by your employer. At Melehy & Associates LLC, we have years of experience in employment law, so we can help you identify clear instances of wage theft.
How to Respond to Wage Theft
If your employer has deprived you of your earnings, you can take different courses of action to get the compensation you deserve. Depending on your case, you may end up using all of these approaches at some point, as follows:
- You might ask your employer directly to pay you for your damages. If your employer agrees to pay you for your lost wages, the matter can be settled quickly and easily.
- You can file a complaint with the Maryland Department of Labor to get a formal investigation started. After an investigation, the labor board can take action to make your employer comply.
- You can file a lawsuit against your employer for failing to pay you for your lost wages.
Whichever option you choose, our attorneys are here to assist you. We will inform you of the risks and benefits associated with each option before agreeing on the best strategy given your case.
Can My Employer Fire Me For Filing a Wage Theft Complaint?
In Maryland, it is illegal for an employer to fire an employee for filing a wage theft complaint. If you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated for exercising your rights as an employee, an attorney can help you take legal action against your employer for unlawful retaliation.
To file a wrongful termination claim, you must demonstrate that you were fired based on unlawful grounds. Naturally, your employer may try to deny that you were terminated for filing a complaint. At Melehy & Associates LLC, we can help you gather evidence for your claim, such as testimony from other employees or communications with your Human Resources department.
Contact a Kensington Wage Theft Lawyer Today
Has your employer failed to pay you what you are owed? If so, Melehy & Associates LLC can help. Our Kensington, Maryland employment law attorneys can provide you with counsel and representation for a wage theft claim, working toward a solution that protects your best interests. To schedule a free case evaluation today, call our offices at 301-587-6364 or reach out to us online.