Working as a mechanic is not easy. It is hard work that takes skill and specialized knowledge.
When you show up for work each day, you arrive prepared to put in the hours and you expect that your employer will pay you fairly, accurately and in a timely manner for the work you performed.
Though errors and mistakes can happen, you should always be paid on time on every payday. If you find that you have not been paid for your work as a mechanic, it could be a form of wage theft.
Wage theft is something that happens in workplaces all over the country and the world. It does not matter if it is a blue collar or white collar job, it happens to workers all the time.
Wage theft includes not being paid the total number of hours worked, not being paid for overtime, not being paid according to minimum wage guidelines, not receiving a final paycheck when you leave a job and not being paid at all.
If you find that you have not been paid for your work, you need to take action immediately to determine why you were not paid. If your employer does not try to correct the situation, then you could be looking at a wage theft claim.
Payday Requirements for Mechanics
Each state has different guidelines for payday requirements, but in general there are four kinds of paydays: Weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly and monthly. At minimum, your employer must follow the state’s guidelines for payday.
In a state like Iowa, an employer can choose from any one of the four payday options, while employers in Illinois must pay at least semi-monthly or monthly. In California, the guidelines are weekly, bi-weekly and semi-monthly.
Your employer cannot, for example, decide that you will be paid every two months. They can pay you more than the minimum guidelines, such as weekly when only bi-weekly is required, but they cannot stretch your payday longer than the mandatory regulations.
It can be confusing to understand the guidelines since they vary by state, but it is important to know when you should be paid and that your employer is following the appropriate guidelines. If not, then that could also be a wage theft violation.
What To Do If You Have Not Been Paid As A Mechanic
If payday arrives and you find that you have not been paid, then you need to take immediate action. The first step is to speak with your boss, a supervisor or your company’s payroll or human resources department.
The reality is that errors and mistakes can happen. It could have been something as simple as a skipped timecard that wasn’t approved, or a glitch in the payment system. If that is the case, then your employer should be able to issue you a check immediately.
If, however, you speak with your employer and they do not take any action, then you must take action to either file a claim or a private lawsuit.
Your rights as a worker are protected by the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD). You can file a wage theft complaint with the WHD online, by phone or in person at one of their many branch locations.
You can also file a private lawsuit against your employer. With a lawsuit, you can seek the maximum damages available to you, including lost wages, legal fees and possible compensation for emotional distress.
The best way to ensure that you receive the biggest settlement possible is to work with an experienced employment lawyer.
Get A Free Case Evaluation
Most employment attorneys will meet with you for a free case evaluation to review your claim and determine the best course of action.
If you choose to work with an employment lawyer, you will have the benefit of having an expert working on your side. This is helpful because filing a lawsuit against your employer can be stressful and intimidating.
Though there is no guarantee that working with an employment attorney will guarantee that you will win your case, having an experienced advocate working on your behalf will greatly improve your case’s chances for success.
The other major advantage is that many employment attorneys will work on a contingency basis, meaning that they will not require payment up front to take your case.
You will only have to pay if you win your case, so there is very little risk involved in retaining an attorney.
For more information about how an employment lawyer can help with your claim, complete the free case evaluation.
