COLUMBUS LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAWYER

A wage and hour claim may arise when an employee believes their employer failed to follow applicable pay and labor laws. These claims can involve unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, missed meal or rest breaks, worker misclassification, or failure to pay the required minimum wage.

Wage and hour violations can severely impact an employee’s financial stability. Some of the most common violations in Columbus include:

Unpaid Overtime

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees are generally entitled to overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. If your employer failed to pay the required overtime rate, you may be able to recover unpaid wages.

For example, if you worked 50 hours in a week but received only your regular hourly rate for all 50 hours, you may have a claim for unpaid overtime.

Failure to Pay Minimum Wage

Federal law sets a minimum wage floor, but many states and local governments require higher rates. If you are paid less than the minimum wage that applies where you work, you may be able to recover the unpaid difference.

For example, paying an employee below the legally required rate may constitute a minimum wage violation.

Improper Deductions

Employers may make certain lawful deductions from your paycheck, such as taxes, insurance premiums, or retirement contributions. However, deductions that are not permitted by law or authorized by your agreement may violate wage and hour laws.

For instance, if an employer deducts amounts for "damages" caused by employees, but the employee wasn’t responsible for the damages, this could be an improper deduction.

If you believe you’ve been subjected to any of these violations, contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

Yes. If your employer agreed to pay you commissions, whether in writing or verbally, and failed to pay them, you may have a valid wage claim. Commission disputes can arise when employers change compensation policies without notice, delay payment, or withhold commissions after termination.

If you satisfied the requirements for earning the commission, your employer may be legally required to pay what you are owed.

Suppose you're classified as an independent contractor but perform work like an employee. In that case, you might be misclassified, and that can have serious legal and financial implications for both you and the company you're working for.

Independent Contractor:

• Controls how and when the work is done.
• Uses their own tools and equipment.
• Usually works for multiple clients.
• Doesn’t receive employee benefits (healthcare, PTO, etc.).
• Responsible for their own taxes.

Employee:

• Has a set schedule and is supervised by the employer.
• Uses employer-provided tools.
• Works for one company.
• Is eligible for benefits and protections (minimum wage, overtime, workers’ comp).
• Employer withholds taxes.

If you’re misclassified, you may be missing out on overtime pay, minimum wage protections, unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation, and more.

If your employer has not paid you correctly, whether because of unpaid wages, missing overtime, or an incorrect pay rate, you can take several steps to protect your rights:

1. Review Your Records

Start by gathering the following:

• Pay stubs
• Time sheets or clock-in records
• Employment contract or offer letter
• Any communication about pay (emails, messages)

Compare what you were paid with what you were promised or what the law requires.

2. Communicate With Your Employer

The pay issue may have been an error. Consider contacting your supervisor or HR department to raise the concern and ask for clarification. Keep a written record of any related communications, including emails or dated notes from conversations.

3. Know Your Rights

Federal and state labor laws protect employees from wage theft. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you must be paid at least the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher. Non-exempt workers are also entitled to overtime pay (1.5x) for hours worked over 40 in a week. Otherwise, employers cannot withhold any pay without a valid reason.

Some states have stronger protections, including stricter timelines for issuing paychecks.

4. File a Complaint With the Department of Labor

You can file a wage claim through the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) or your state labor agency. They can investigate and help recover unpaid wages.

5. Document Everything

Keep detailed records of your hours, any pay discrepancies, and your efforts to resolve the problem. This documentation can help support your claim if you decide to take legal action.

6. Contact Morgan & Morgan in Columbus, Georgia

If your employer refuses to pay wages you are owed or retaliates against you for raising concerns, contact a Morgan & Morgan labor and employment attorney. We offer free case evaluations, and you pay no attorney’s fees unless we win. You may be entitled to recover unpaid wages, interest, penalties, legal fees, and damages related to retaliation.

7. Don’t Delay

There are legal deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, for filing claims. The amount of time you have can vary depending on the type of claim and the laws in your state. Acting promptly can help protect your rights and preserve important evidence.

In a wage and hour lawsuit, the compensation you may recover depends on how your employer violated labor laws. Common types of damages include:

Unpaid Wages and Overtime

You may be able to recover unpaid wages, including minimum wage and overtime you should have received. Under federal law, eligible employees are generally entitled to overtime at one-and-a-half times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. If you were underpaid, you may be able to recover the difference between what you received and what you were legally owed.

Liquidated Damages

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you may also be entitled to liquidated damages equal to your unpaid wages. For example, if you are owed $5,000, you may be able to recover $10,000 total, $5,000 in unpaid wages and $5,000 in additional damages, unless your employer can show it acted in good faith.

Interest

Depending on the applicable state law, you may also be entitled to pre-judgment interest on the unpaid wages you are owed.

Attorney’s Fees and Costs

If your claim is successful, your employer may also be required to cover your attorney’s fees and certain court or litigation costs. This can make it more practical to pursue a case even when the amount of unpaid wages is relatively modest.

Retaliation-Related Damages

If your employer retaliated against you, for example, by firing, demoting, or harassing you for asserting your rights, you may be entitled to additional compensation. This can include lost wages, reinstatement, damages for harm to your reputation, and, in extreme cases, punitive damages.

Emotional Distress (Limited Situations)

Emotional distress damages are not typically available in wage and hour cases. However, if retaliation is involved, you may be able to pursue compensation for emotional harm as well.

Every case is different, so the best way to understand what your claim may be worth is to speak with the legal team at Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation.

Morgan & Morgan’s labor & employment lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there are no upfront fees or expenses until your case comes to a successful conclusion. That’s right—the Fee Is Free™, and you only pay if we win.

Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount, ensuring we are motivated to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

No. Consultations at Morgan & Morgan are completely free. We believe everyone deserves access to legal advice, regardless of their financial situation.

Hiring one of our wage & hour lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation on our site or by phone.

When you hire Morgan & Morgan in Columbus, Georgia, you’re backed by more than just one attorney; you gain access to the resources of America’s Largest Injury Law Firm™, with over 1,100 attorneys and offices nationwide.

Your case will be handled by a dedicated team that may include attorneys, paralegals, and support staff working together on your behalf. You’ll also have a primary attorney who oversees your case, keeps you informed, and provides personalized guidance throughout each stage of the process.

After your initial consultation, your care team will schedule regular meetings to discuss your case, provide updates, and prepare you for any upcoming proceedings. We are committed to maintaining open lines of communication and keeping you informed every step of the way.

These meetings can be handled in person, virtually, and by phone, depending on your case’s requirements and your ability to do so.

Morgan & Morgan’s employment attorneys have extensive experience handling wage and hour claims and have helped recover significant compensation for workers in similar situations. As America’s Largest Injury Law Firm™, with over 1,100 attorneys nationwide, we have the resources, knowledge, and reach to take on complex cases.

We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything up front. With our Fee Is Free™ approach, you only pay if we win your case.

We are committed to holding employers accountable when they violate wage laws and workers’ rights. If you believe you’ve been underpaid or treated unfairly, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your options.