Philadelphia Wage and Hour Lawyers

Employees have the right to receive the wages and compensation they have earned under federal, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia employment laws. Whether your employer failed to pay overtime, withheld earned wages, refused to pay commissions, or violated other wage and hour laws, The Lacy Employment Law Firm helps Philadelphia employees understand their legal rights and evaluate potential wage and hour claims.

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Philadelphia Wage and Hour

If you live and work in Philadelphia, you should know your rights under wage and hour laws. Therefore, it is important to have access to experienced wage and hour lawyers who understand the nuances of wage and hour law in Pennsylvania. 

Which Laws Govern Wage and Hour In Philadelphia?

Philadelphia employees are protected by a variety of laws when it comes to wages and hours. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the most prominent of these laws. This law mandates that all employees must receive minimum wage, which is currently equal to the Federal Minimum wage at $7.25 per hour

 

In addition, the FLSA requires employers to pay overtime compensation, 1.5 times an employee’s regular pay rate, for all hours worked beyond 40 in a single work week. 

 

All wages owed to employees by their employers, excluding fringe benefits and wage supplements, must be paid on the regularly scheduled paydays defined in advance by the employer. Employers must promptly pay all wages due to their employees, including overtime. The employee must authorize any deductions from wages.

 

Failure to comply with these regulations may result in fines or other penalties. There are many wage violations that employers can be guilty of. Still, some of the most common include deductions from wages, failure to pay earned commissions, and illegal tip pooling policies.

 

In addition to the FLSA, Pennsylvania has its own wage and hour laws that are more specific to Philadelphia. Employees who feel they have not been paid properly or denied their rightful wages might need legal help from a Philadelphia wage and hour lawyer or a Philadelphia employment lawyer. 

 

These lawyers will have the expertise to help workers ensure they receive what they are owed and protect their rights under the laws governing wages and hours in Philadelphia.

Common Wage and Hour Disputes

Failure to Pay Overtime

Some employees may be entitled to overtime pay when they work more than the hours permitted under applicable wage laws. Employers who improperly classify employees or fail to pay overtime may violate federal or Pennsylvania law.

Failure to Pay Wages

Employees generally have the right to receive the wages they have earned, including regular wages, final paychecks, and other compensation required under applicable employment laws.

Commission Disputes

Commission disputes may arise when employers fail to pay earned commissions or disagree about commission calculations under employment agreements or compensation plans.

Employee Misclassification

Employers may improperly classify workers as exempt employees or independent contractors, potentially affecting eligibility for overtime pay, minimum wage protections, employee benefits, and other workplace rights.

Meal & Rest Break Violations

Meal and rest break disputes may arise when employees are denied breaks required under applicable employment laws or workplace policies, or when employers fail to properly compensate employees for compensable break periods.

How Can Philadelphia Wage and Hour Lawyers Help?

Regarding wage and hour issues in Philadelphia, it can be difficult to know what to do. That is why having a Philadelphia employment lawyer is important to help you understand your rights and the law.


Philadelphia employment lawyer can help you in the following ways:

(2021) Philadelphia Minimum Wage Laws: What You Need to Know

Having a Philadelphia employment lawyer on your side can be invaluable regarding wage and hour disputes. They can help you understand the law, negotiate with employers, represent you in court, and get the compensation you deserve.

How Do I File a Wage and Hour Claim In Philadelphia?

If you believe that your employer has violated your rights as an employee in terms of wages or hours, you may file a wage and hour claim with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry


To do this, you must first collect evidence and documentation that supports your claim. This could include any relevant payroll information, timesheets, or other employment records that prove the violation. Additionally, you should gather information such as your employer’s name, address, and contact information.


Once you have gathered all the necessary documents and evidence, you can submit a complaint form to the Department of Labor & Industry. You will need to include all the details of your claim in the complaint form and attach copies of the documents and evidence that support your claim. It’s important to note that Pennsylvania has a three-year statute of limitations for filing a wage and hour claim.


In addition to filing a claim with the Department of Labor & Industry, you may wish to consult a Philadelphia wage and hour lawyer to help you navigate the process. A lawyer can guide how best to pursue your claim and ensure it is properly filed according to the law.


They can also represent you if the case goes to court. An experienced lawyer can provide invaluable assistance and advice throughout the legal process.

Which Employees Are Entitled to a File a Wage and Hour Claim?

In general, any Philadelphia employee can file a wage and hour claim if they have not been properly compensated for their work. This includes but is not limited to the following:


  • Employees who are not receiving minimum wage
  • Employees who are not being paid overtime
  • Employees who are not being paid for all hours worked
  • Employees who are not being paid for work-related travel expenses
  • Employees who are not being compensated for work-related injury or illness
  • Employees who are not being provided with the appropriate rest and meal breaks
  • Employees who are not being given the proper pay stubs or documentation
  • Employees who are not receiving fair and accurate wages
  • Employees who have had their tips withheld or shared unfairly with management.
A group of people sitting at a table discussing employment law issues with a resume in front of them.

Hourly and salaried employees and part-time and full-time employees can make these claims. It is important to note that employers cannot retaliate against employees who file a wage and hour claim. If you feel that your employer has violated wage and hour laws, speaking to a qualified Philadelphia wage and hour lawyer is important as soon as possible.

A woman is seeking assistance from an employment lawyer.

Related Employment Law Services

Employment Contracts

Employment agreements may affect wages, commissions, bonuses, and other forms of compensation.

Workplace Retaliation

Employees are generally protected from unlawful retaliation for asserting certain wage and hour rights or reporting wage violations.

Wrongful Termination

Some wage disputes arise after an employee is terminated or denied earned compensation following the end of employment.

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers

Wage and hour laws establish rules governing employee compensation, including minimum wage, overtime pay, payment of earned wages, and other workplace compensation requirements under federal and Pennsylvania law.

Common wage and hour disputes may involve unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, unpaid commissions, improper payroll deductions, off-the-clock work, or other compensation issues.

Whether overtime pay is required depends on several factors, including your job duties, how you are paid, and whether an exemption applies under federal or Pennsylvania law.

Employees should preserve payroll records, timesheets, employment agreements, and other documentation related to their compensation. Speaking with an employment lawyer may help you better understand your legal rights and available options.

Yes. Depending on the employment agreement and applicable law, employees may have legal remedies if earned commissions are withheld or improperly calculated.

Federal and Pennsylvania employment laws may protect employees from unlawful retaliation for asserting certain wage and hour rights or reporting wage violations.

The deadline for filing a wage and hour claim depends on the laws that apply and the specific facts of the case. Because filing deadlines may be strict, employees should consider speaking with an employment lawyer as soon as possible.

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