Carpenters have extensive skills that are in demand. To be a carpenter for a construction agency, you have had to undergone training and you have hands-on experience to perfect your skills.
You count on your paycheck to cover living expenses and to take care of your family. If you don’t get your paycheck on time, you will find your family facing financial difficulties.
You do have rights and resources available if you are the victim of wage theft as a carpenter. If you are a carpenter and you have not been paid by your employer, you may be able to recover compensation for your wages and other damages through a wage theft claim against your employer.
Payday Requirements For A Carpenter
Most states have requirements in place for paydays. These requirements pertain to the frequency that an employee must be paid.
If you are not paid according to state laws, then your employer could face harsh penalties, including fines, and you could recover your losses through the pursuit of a wage theft claim.
While the laws vary from one state to the next, here is a look at a few state policies regarding paychecks.
In New Hampshire, employees must be paid weekly. In New Jersey, employees must be paid semi-monthly, except for executive, supervisory, and other special classifications that are paid monthly.
North Carolina’s guidelines are an exception with no pay frequency specified.
In North Carolina, pay periods could be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly. Ohio requires semi-monthly paychecks.
Even if your paycheck is a day late, it is in violation of employment laws. Any delays in your pay should be addressed promptly. You will want to make sure you understand the process to follow to get your claim underway.
There is a limited time – usually 180 days – for filing a claim after you have suffered lost wages.
What To Do If You Haven’t Been Paid As A Carpenter
If you have not been paid as a carpenter, you will need to make sure you gather all the evidence that you can gather to support your claim. Your first step will be to file a claim with your employer.
You will do this by speaking with your manager or supervisor or by contacting your employer’s human resources department.
You should have any paystubs, copies of time sheets or timecards, your employment contract, your employee handbook, statements from witnesses, and any other supporting details. You should also keep evidence that you notified your employer of the discrepancy.
If your employer doesn’t promptly address the matter, or if they don’t believe that they have broken any laws, you will advance your claim to the next level.
You will need to contact the Department of Labor and provide all the supporting evidence that you have regarding your claim. They will investigate the matter and they will contact your employer and ask them to make restitution.
Your employer could also be subjected to penalties. If the matter isn’t resolved at that point, you will then file a lawsuit against your employer to recover your lost wages and other damages.
There are laws in place to protect you. If your claim against your employer for wage theft must advance to court for a ruling, your employer could face criminal charges and fines.
An attorney could help you through the claims process and will increase your likelihood of a successful claim.
Remember that if you wait too long, you cannot file a claim and recover payment for your losses. It is imperative that you act in a timely manner.
Speak With An Attorney
If you are a carpenter who has suffered wage theft, you should consult with an employment law attorney who can help you gather supporting evidence and documentation and build a strong claim against your employer, proving that you suffered wage theft and that your employer broke federal and state laws.
An attorney has strong negotiation skills and is familiar with all the applicable state and federal laws.
When you meet with an employment law attorney, be sure to go over their payment plans. While some employment law attorneys do require a retainer to be paid in advance, there are employment law attorneys who take cases on the contingency basis and they are not paid until you win your claim and recover compensation for your damages.
To ensure your claim for not having been paid as a carpenter is filed in a timely manner, complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page.
