LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAWYER IN DETROIT

A wage and hour claim is a legal action brought by an employee who believes their employer failed to pay them properly or violated applicable wage laws. These claims may involve unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, worker misclassification, missed meal breaks, or other compensation-related issues.

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

Unpaid Overtime

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. If your employer has not paid you overtime for these extra hours, you may be entitled to back pay.

If you worked 50 hours in a week but were paid your regular hourly rate for all 50 hours, you may have an unpaid overtime claim.

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 properly authorized 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, either in writing or verbally, to pay commissions and failed to do so, you may have a valid wage claim. Commission disputes can arise when employers change compensation policies, delay payment, or withhold commissions after an employee leaves the company.

If you satisfied the requirements for earning the commission, you may be entitled to recover the unpaid amount.

If you are classified as an independent contractor but your working relationship functions more like employment, you may be misclassified. Misclassification can have important legal and financial consequences.

Independent Contractor

Independent contractors generally:

• Have greater control over how and when they perform their work.
• Use their own tools or equipment.
• May work for multiple clients.
• Do not receive traditional employee benefits, such as health insurance or paid time off.
• Are responsible for paying their own taxes.

Employee

Employees are more likely to:

• Work according to an employer’s schedule or direction.
• Use tools or equipment provided by the employer.
• Work primarily for one company.
• Receive protections such as minimum wage, overtime, and workers’ compensation.
• Have taxes withheld from their paychecks.

If you have been misclassified, you may have been denied wages, overtime pay, benefits, workers’ compensation protections, or other rights available to employees.

If your employer fails to pay you properly, whether it’s missed wages, unpaid overtime, or incorrect pay rates, there are several steps you can take 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 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 these communications, such as 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 worked, any discrepancies in your actual pay, and any of your attempts to resolve the issue. This documentation is crucial if you decide to take legal action.

6. Contact Morgan & Morgan in Detroit, Michigan

If your employer continues to deny rightful wages or retaliates against you for speaking up, contact a labor and employment attorney at Morgan & Morgan. We offer free case evaluations, and we only get paid if you win your case. You may be entitled to unpaid wages, interest and penalties, legal fees, and possible damages for retaliation.

7. Don’t Delay

Legal deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, determine how long you have to file a claim. These deadlines can vary depending on the type of claim and the laws that apply. 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 wages you should have been paid, including unpaid minimum wages and overtime. Under federal law, overtime is typically paid at time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 in a week. If you were not properly paid, you may recover the difference between what you were paid and what you were 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

In some cases, particularly under state laws, you may also recover pre-judgment interest on unpaid wages.

Attorney’s Fees and Costs

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

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. Morgan & Morgan offers free consultations, so there is no cost to speak with our team about your potential case. We believe access to legal guidance should not depend on your 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 Detroit, Michigan, 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.