Overtime Lawsuits On The Rise

Since the height of the recession in 2008, millions of workers have been laid off, forced to work longer hours and many have received less pay. Now workers are striking back in court. According to a recent overtime lawsuit article, there has been a dramatic increase is workers suing employers pursuant to both federal and state labor laws as the result of overtime violations.

The main concern – workers putting in more than 40 hours a week without receiving overtime pay. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that employers pay non-exempt employees overtime wages at a rate of one and one-half their regular rate of pay for any time worked in excess of 40 hours in any workweek. State labor laws contain similar overtime provisions.

If you have questions concerning whether you are entitled to overtime pay or believe that your employer has failed to pay you the compensation you deserve, consulting with an experienced Georgia overtime pay attorney is important to determine your next steps.

The main complaints workers face come from putting in extra time as the result of a variety of practices, including:

  • Working “off the clock”
  • Being misclassified as “exempt” and not receiving pay for overtime work • Work time encroaching on personal time with the increased use of smartphones and other technology

A representative of the National Employment Law Project notes, “If employers had to bear the actual expense of overtime, they likely would have hired more workers in the economic recovery.”

Many are concerned that the FLSA has become outmoded as the result of increases in technology and that the law needs to be updated to reflect the flexibility of modern work practices. However, in the meantime employers must ensure that they pay workers for each hour spent working.

For more information or if you believe you have been denied the overtime pay you are entitled to, contact the dedicated Atlanta overtime pay lawyers at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP, P.C. for an immediate case evaluation.