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Proven Results No Matter the Case

As lawyers for the workers, we make sure that employers pay you for the long hours you put in and give you the wages you are owed.

HOURLY WORKER UNPAID WAGE CLAIMS

What to Do If You Were Not Paid for Work as an Hourly Worker

Hourly workers are those who are paid a certain rate for every hour worked rather than a day rate or annual salary. By law, hourly employees must be compensated for all hours worked; however, employers may wrongfully withhold wages or otherwise fail to properly compensate hourly workers in several ways.

If you are paid hourly, and you believe your employer has failed to provide you with fair wages for the hours you have worked, reach out to Josephson Dunlap. You could be entitled to take legal action against your employer, and our attorneys can help. We assist clients in filing hourly workers unpaid wage claims throughout the U.S. With more than two decades of legal experience and hundreds of millions of dollars recovered in unpaid wages and overtime, our firm has the resources and skills to effectively advocate for you.

Schedule a complimentary consultation with a member of our legal team. Call (888) 992-2990 or submit an online contact form today to get started.

Could You Be Owed Unpaid Overtime Wages?

Calculate Overtime

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“Filing a case was easy and the staff was beyond wonderful when it came to answering my questions in regards to my case. They’re polite, well spoken and overall professional.”

- Robert F.

Straight Time for Overtime

“I have made multiple recommendations for Josephson Dunlap to family and friends. They kept me updated with my case, provided ongoing follow-up support, and made sure I received everything that was owed to me!”

- Samantha R.

Off-The-Clock Case

“Josephson Dunlap did everything that could be asked. They were great communicators and treated me with respect. They fought for me and delivered results that were better than expected.”

- Tony S.

Misclassification Case

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Who We Help

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Hourly workers have important legal protections when it comes to wages, overtime, and fair pay. The first step in ensuring you’re paid correctly is understanding your rights.

Your Basic Rights as an Hourly Worker

✅ The Right to Be Paid for All Hours Worked

You must be paid for every moment you are on the clock. Employers cannot require you to work off the clock, take unlawful wage deductions, or deny you wages for required duties such as attending meetings, setting up, or cleaning after a shift.

✅ The Right to Minimum Wage

You cannot be paid below the minimum wage set by federal, state, or local laws. As of 2023, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but many states and cities have higher rates. If you're a tipped worker, your employer must make up the difference if your tips don't bring your total pay to at least the minimum wage.

✅ The Right to Overtime Pay (If Non-Exempt)

Most hourly workers are entitled to overtime pay when working beyond a certain number of hours.

Federal law requires overtime for hours worked over 40 per week at a rate of 1.5 times your regular pay.
Some states like California, require overtime if you work more than 8 hours in a single day.

💡 Not sure if your employer is violating wage laws? Contact Josephson Dunlap today—we can review your case and help you claim the wages you’re owed.

Common Wage and Hour Violations

Hourly workers across industries face wage theft in many forms. Here are some of the most common violations:

Unpaid Overtime – Employers may fail to pay the correct overtime rate or miscalculate hours worked.
Off-the-Clock Work – Tasks like setting up, cleaning, or attending meetings must be paid—even if it’s just a few minutes.
Misclassification – Some employers wrongly classify workers as independent contractors or “exempt” employees to avoid paying overtime.
Unpaid Meal & Rest Breaks – In many states, you must receive paid rest breaks and unpaid meal breaks. If you’re forced to work through breaks, you may be owed extra pay.
Minimum Wage Violations – Employers cannot pay below federal, state, or local minimum wage rates—even if they claim deductions or rely on tips.
Falsified Time Records – Some employers alter timesheets or underreport hours to save on payroll.
Tip Theft – Employers cannot take a portion of your tips, force unfair tip pooling, or withhold tips owed to you.
Unpaid Travel Time – If you’re traveling for work-related duties (e.g., between job sites), you must be paid for that time.

Your time is valuable—don’t let your employer steal it. If you believe your wages have been shorted, we can help.

How To File a Wage Complaint

If your employer isn't paying you correctly, here's what you can do:

Gather Proof – Keep pay stubs, timesheets, emails, and any records of hours worked and wages paid.
Understand Your Rights – Check state and federal wage laws to confirm your employer’s violation.
Talk to Your Employer – If possible, address the issue with your employer or HR in writing to document your complaint.
File a Complaint – If your employer refuses to pay, file a complaint with your state’s labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Work with an Employment Lawyer – If your complaint isn’t resolved or you fear employer retaliation, seek legal assistance from a wage and hour attorney like us!
Follow Up on Your Case – Keep track of your complaint’s status and provide any additional information requested by investigators or your attorney.

💡 Need help filing a claim? Contact Josephson Dunlap today. We specialize in wage theft cases and can fight to get you the money that you may be owed!

Contact Josephson Dunlap for Help with Your Hourly Worker Unpaid Wage Claim

One of the most important things you can do if you find yourself the victim of wrongful or unjust employer conduct is to contact a law firm with experience handling cases like yours. At Josephson Dunlap, we have helped hundreds of thousands of workers throughout the United States fight to protect their rights. Our mission is simple: to help you recover the unpaid wages you are owed, as well as seek compensation for related damages, such as pain and suffering.

Contact the “lawyers for the workers^®” for help with your hourly worker unpaid wages claim; call (888) 992-2990 today to get started. Se habla español.

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A man in a suit and tie standing with his arms crossed. Managing Partner and Employment Law Expert, Michael A. Josephson.

MICHAEL JOSEPHSON

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ANDREW DUNLAP

RICHARD SCHREIBER

DAVID MATHEWS

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OLIVIA BEALE

ALYSSA WHITE

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WILL HOGG

JULIA CLINE

SCOTT STOTTLEMYRE

Reporting Labor Violations

If you discover that your employer hasn’t paid you for all the hours you’ve worked, one of the first steps is to report the violation to the appropriate agency. This could be your state’s labor board or another regulatory body, depending on where you live and work.

In many cases, you can file a report online or by phone. If you’re unsure how to get started or need help with the process, Josephson Dunlap is here to support you. We assist workers across the country with unpaid wage claims—from reporting violations to pursuing legal action when necessary. Our attorneys offer free, no-obligation consultations and are available to answer your questions and help you understand your rights.

WHAT WILL NEXT STEPS BE?

Submit your case in as little as 10 minutes.

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Form Submission

Complete the form, and we'll connect with you within one business day. For a faster response, call us at (888) 992-2990 or click our chat bubble.

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Free Consultation

A personal case manager will quickly identify if you have a case. A quick 10-minute phone call is all it takes.

We Build Your Case

Your personal case manager will work with you to make sure you have everything you need for a strong case.

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Get Your Wages Back

Once your case manager has everything, you just wait while we fight for your wages. We'll keep you updated on your case results and when you can expect your money.

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