You work to get paid, right? At least, that’s the case for most people. Just across the pond, it was found that 72% of British workers wake up daily and head to the office just to pay their bills. You can imagine it’s much the same in the US.
But what happens when wages are left unpaid?
This is a big issue when the situation arises. After all, employees rely on their wages to live. To pay bills. To buy groceries. To afford rent. Without the correct pay, these aspects of life begin to spiral out of control – and the stress that goes with that? It cannot be ignored.
So, what should you do when your wages are unpaid? Seeking legal help is one method, but you must try other options before doing so. Keep reading on to learn more.
Talk to Your Employer
The first step is the most obvious – bringing the issue up to your boss or payroll department.
It can be tempting to run into this situation with frustration, but there are times when a simple administrative error is to blame. It might be a payroll mistake or a bank transfer error. Such issues will be fixed in minutes. Only by bringing this to your employer’s attention with this be resolved.
Ensure your email or letter is polite. This should be sent to either your manager, HR, or the payroll department. Keep it straightforward. You might say something along the lines of:
“I noticed that I received [amount received], but according to my calculations and hours worked, I believe I am owed [ expected amount] for this pay period.”
This is respectful and professional. You do not want to be overly emotional during this stage, as this could cause further problems. There’s no need to make accusations. You’re just giving your employer a chance to look into the issue.
File a Government Claim
If your employer doesn’t fix the problem – or refuses to pay you – you may have another option.
Employees could file certain wage claims with the appropriate government agency. In New Jersey, for example, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development handles wage and hour complaints.
Before filing a claim, gather your supporting documents. Pay stubs. Timesheets. Employment agreements. Schedules. Emails. Text messages. All of these items show what you were paid and what you believe you should have received.
It’s also crucial to pay attention to deadlines. Waiting too long could affect your ability to pursue a claim – don’t put the paperwork aside indefinitely.
Hire an Employment Lawyer
Sometimes, the situation is more complicated than a missing paycheck.
Maybe your employer disputes the number of hours you worked. Maybe you’ve repeatedly complained about unpaid overtime and nothing has changed. Maybe you’re worried about being punished or fired for raising the issue.
That’s when speaking with an employment attorney makes sense. A New Jersey labor violation practice will review the circumstances, look at your records, and explain what legal options are available to you.
You don’t need to sue your employer simply because you speak with a lawyer. In lots of situations, the first step is understanding your rights. Speaking with an attorney is a sensible way to do that.
To conclude, don’t assume you need to live with a short paycheck. There are steps you can take to resolve the issue, as outlined above. Seeking legal advice might be necessary if your early action is ignored.
