If you are a housekeeper, odds are you depend on your paycheck to take care of your living expenses. After all, the reason people work is to earn a living.
However, there are millions of workers who fall victim to wage theft every year. If you have suffered wage theft as a housekeeper, you do have rights and there are resources available to help you.
If you have suffered wage theft as a housekeeper, you should gather supporting evidence and documentation.
When you suffer wage theft, you have only 180 days from the date of the incident to pursue a claim. If you wait too long, you cannot recover your losses.
It is imperative that you pay close attention to your check and compare it to your time worked and the wages that you earned.
You will need to address any problems right away. If you wait too long, you will not be able to recoup your damages. Millions of U.S. workers suffer wage theft every year.
How A Housekeeper Could Suffer Wage Theft
There are many ways in which wage theft could occur. You may not be paid for all the hours that you worked.
You may not be paid for your breaks, or you may be asked to work through your breaks and not be paid for that time.
If you work more than 40 hours per week, you are to be paid overtime, which is time and a half your regular wage. Any of these are examples of wage theft. If you are not paid your agreed wage, then you are suffering wage theft.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) established minimum wage and requires that you be paid at least that much. If you are not paid at least that much, you are being subjected to wage theft.
As a housekeeper, you will have a set number of rooms or a specific building to clean. If you are paid an hourly rate, they must pay you for the duration of the cleaning process. You should be attentive and catch any signs of wage theft early.
What To Do If You Are A Housekeeper Who Suffered Wage Theft
If you have suffered wage theft as a housekeeper, you will need to gather supporting evidence and documentation. You will need to show how much you have been shorted in earnings, and you must also prove how much you have worked.
You will need copies of any employment contracts, your employee handbook, and copies of timecards.
You should also provide documentation that details your breaks. Also, statements from witnesses, such as coworkers who can confirm when you worked, will be helpful.
Your employer may have surveillance cameras that can verify when you worked. You should also provide paystubs to show how much you were paid and when you were paid.
Your first step will be to file a complaint with your employer. You will do this by notifying management or human resources.
Keep proof of any documentation that shows you filed a complaint. You should keep any notifications or correspondence received from your employer regarding the matter.
If the issue isn’t resolved with your employer, your next step will be to file a complaint with the Wage and Hour Division. They will need to see all the supporting documentation as well.
If they cannot get the matter resolved, they will then suggest that you file a lawsuit against your employer to recover your damages. At that point, the judge or jury will determine the outcome of your housekeeping wage theft case.
How An Employment Law Attorney Could Help
If you have suffered wage theft as a housekeeper, you should enlist the help of an employment law attorney who handles wage theft cases in your area.
With the help of lawyer, you will gather supporting evidence and build a stronger claim on your behalf.
When you meet with an employment law attorney, be sure to discuss their payment.
While some wage theft lawyers will take cases on a contingency basis, there are some that do require an upfront retainer.
You should make sure you understand the payment process when you enlist a lawyer’s help.
You do have limited time to pursue your claim and if you wait longer than 180 days, you cannot recover your losses.
Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to share the details with an attorney who handles wage theft cases in your area.
