Pittsburgh Wage & Hour Dispute Attorneys

Protecting the Rights of Local Workers

Robert Peirce & Associates is proud to be the first choice among so many locals in Pittsburgh for wage and hour disputes, claims, and lawsuits. If you suspect that your rights as a worker have been violated by your employer, then you don’t have to wait to set things right. Start right now by calling a legal team with more than 40 years of practice experience: (844) 383-0565.

We can help with common and complex wage and hour complaints, such as those involving:

• Unpaid overtime
• Shorted wages
• Forced off-the-clock work
• Employee misclassification
• Unprovided meal and rest breaks
• Donning and doffing
• Paying less than minimum wage
• Unpaid and exploitative internships
• Unreasonable side work or job requirements

Initial consultations are FREE for workers in Pittsburgh. Schedule one now.

Unpaid Overtime Laws

The Fair Labor and Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that sets various employment laws, including how overtime can be earned and must be paid. Under the FLSA, employees who work more than 40 hours a workweek must be paid overtime unless they are exempt. If a state has its own overtime laws, then an employer must meet both state-level and federal-level wage, hour, and overtime requirements.

If you worked overtime but weren’t paid fairly for it, then you might have a chance to set things right through an unpaid overtime lawsuit handled by our attorneys. The statute of limitations is often just three years for wage-related complaints, so don’t wait long to contact our firm.

Employee Misclassification

Some dishonest employers try to save money by misclassifying their employees so they lose benefits. For example, only certain workers are eligible for paid overtime, called non-exempt workers. By misclassifying them as exempt, an employer could potentially save uncounted profits each year by wrongfully avoiding overtime pay.

For an employee to be classified as exempt, the following must be true:

• Worker earns more than $23,600 per year or $455 per week.
• Worker performs executive job duties like supervising at least two other employees, is considered a manager, and is involved with the job status of others.

Other conditions can make a worker exempt and ineligible for overtime pay. However, FLSA law makes it so most workers in all industries and positions should earn overtime when working for longer than 40 hours a week. Even if you are salaried and get a guaranteed weekly wage, you are likely still eligible for overtime under FLSA rules. Speak with one of our Pittsburgh wage and hour dispute attorneys to see if you have been shorted unpaid overtime.

Off-the-Clock Overtime

Another way that some employers try to escape paying their workers overtime is by making them complete off-the-clock work. This method can conceal the true number of hours that the employee worked in a week.

Off-the-clock work violations take many forms, such as:

• Unpaid meetings or training.
• Expected tasks before clocking in.
• Side duties during lunch breaks.
• Requirements to respond to emails or messages when off the clock.
• Work-related errands when not clocked in.
• Forced, unpaid uniform changes at work (donning and doffing).

Excessive Side Work

If you are an employee who can earn tips, like a waiter or bartender, then your employer must not schedule you to spend more than 20% of your shift performing duties that don’t earn a tip. For example, waiters can’t be expected to spend more than 96 minutes in an 8-hour shift performing duties like meal prep in the kitchen. If this occurs, then it is a wage and hour violation known as excessive “side work.”

Additionally, employers must not reduce the pay rate of tip-earning employees based on tasks that aren’t related to their typical job duties or description. For example, a bartender’s wages can’t be reduced for cleaning duties that won’t give them a chance to earn a tip.

Fight for the Money You Earned – Call Now

At Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. in Pittsburgh, we staunchly believe that every worker in every industry deserves the full pay that they have rightfully earned. If you are being shorted through an overtime, wage, or work violation, then let our wage and hour dispute lawyers know as soon as possible. You might have limited time to start a claim against your employer. Also, if you start a case, then it could encourage your coworkers to do the same, protecting not just your rights but also those of the people who work with you.

For more information about work and hour violations and lawsuits, call (844) 383-0565 or contact us online today.