Understanding your wage and hour rights is essential whether you're an hourly worker, salaried employee, or gig contractor. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides a federal baseline, but many states go even further.
Minimum Wage Laws:
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Federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr (as of now)
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Many states (e.g., California, New York) have higher rates
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Employers must follow the higher of federal or state laws
Overtime Pay:
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Employees working over 40 hours per week must be paid 1.5x their regular wage
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Some salaried employees are exempt (managers, professionals)
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Misclassifying workers to avoid overtime is illegal
Meal and Rest Breaks:
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Not required by federal law, but many states mandate rest breaks
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California: 30-minute lunch break after 5 hours
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Workers must be paid if forced to work through lunch
Wage Theft Examples:
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Unpaid overtime
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Working off-the-clock
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Misclassifying employees as contractors
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Withholding final paychecks
What to Do If Your Rights Are Violated:
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Keep detailed records of hours worked
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Report violations to the Department of Labor (DOL)
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Consider legal action if retaliation occurs
Tip: You cannot be legally fired for asking to be paid correctly.
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