Are you paying out of pocket for work expenses? That May Be Unpaid Wages.
Gas, tools, uniforms, phone bills. If work costs are cutting into your pay, your employer may owe you money, whether or not your state requires reimbursement outright.
WORKERS REPRESENTED NATIONWIDE
IN WAGES RECOVERED
CONSULTATION FEE
What Is Expense Reimbursement?
Are you paying for work costs out of your own pocket? Many workers cover gas, tools, uniforms, or phone bills for their job and never get paid back. When those costs cut into your pay, that can be a wage violation, not just a bad policy.
No federal law directly requires employers to reimburse work expenses. But the Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA, still requires employers to pay at least the minimum wage. If your out-of-pocket costs push your real pay below that minimum, your employer must cover the difference.
The FLSA "Kickback" Rule
No reimbursement Mandate
Federal law does not require employers to pay back job expenses. Instead, minimum wage law fills that gap.
The Kickback Rule
An employer cannot push business costs onto you if it drops your pay below minimum wage. If you're and employee and covering all expenses, it's like the money you're making is flowing right back to your employer.
What It Covers
This rule can cover tools, uniforms, and mileage tied to your job, whenever those costs eat into your pay.
State Laws Often Go Further
Many states require pay-back for job expenses, even when pay stays above minimum wage. These laws vary a lot by state, and some cities add their own rules too.
What This Means For You
Whether you're owed money often depends on where you work and what the expense was for. Even without a state law, the FLSA's minimum wage rule may still protect you.
Expenses Workers Are Often Owed
Gas and vehicle insurance for work travel
Meals and lodging during business trips
Work-related phone use
Wear and tear on a personal vehicle used for the job
Office supplies or equipment purchased for the job
Bank fees tied to work purchases or reimbursements
Training and certification fees
Uniforms and safety gear
Common Roles Affected
Delivery drivers, tipped workers, and commercial vehicle operators are affected especially often, but any worker in any industry can be shorted this way.
Salaried Employees
Day Rate Workers
Independent Contractors
Related Wage & Hour Claims
We handle a wide range of wage and hour disputes, beyond expense reimbursement, including:
Arbitration Agreements
Meal & Rest Break Violations
Time Shaving
Unpaid Training
Minimum Wage Violations
Employee Misclassification
Unpaid Commissions
Untimely Wage Payments
Employer Tip-Theft
Off-the-Clock Work
Unpaid Overtime
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no cost. We offer free and confidential case reviews to help you understand your options. We do not charge any upfront legal fees. We only receive attorney fees if we win a financial recovery for you.
Getting started is straightforward. You can fill out our secure online form or call our office directly. A case manager will review your job details, look for qualifying wage violations, and let you know whether you may have a claim. This initial review is free and takes only a few minutes.
Federal and state laws prohibit employers from punishing or terminating workers for reporting wage violations or participating in a legal claim. This type of unfair treatment is called retaliation, and it is illegal. If your employer takes adverse action against you, our firm can advise you on your rights.
No. Your initial consultation with our firm is private and confidential. We will not contact your employer or notify them that you spoke with us. You can check your eligibility and learn about your rights without your employer's knowledge.
How Our Wage Recovery Process Works
Start your free, no-risk case review in about 10 minutes.
Submit Your Secure Form
Tell us about your missing pay through our confidential online form. We will review your details and follow up within 24 hours. Need answers right away? Call (888) 992-2990.
Get Your Free Consultation
A case manager will spend about 10 minutes reviewing your situation, looking for qualifying violations like unpaid overtime, off-the-clock work, or regular rate errors. Clear advice, no obligation.
We Build Your Case
If you have a valid claim, we get to work right away. Our team handles the paperwork, gathers the evidence, and builds a legal strategy suited to your situation.
We Recover Your Wages
Once we have the facts, our legal team pursues the full amount you are owed. You receive updates throughout the process and pay nothing out of pocket. Attorney fees are collected only if we win.
Talk to an Expense Reimbursement Attorney
We offer free, confidential consultations and only get paid if we recover money for you. Find out if your employer owes you money.