Seattle employers are required to pay employees at least once a month on a set payday. When violations of this time limit occur, workers can file claims with Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Employers can be penalized for going past this deadline to provide wages. Victims may even receive double what they are owed.
Unfortunately, employees can be at a disadvantage when taking on business owners and large companies. Workers might face off against teams of lawyers and find it hard to gather evidence. They could even have their jobs threatened for speaking out.
Turning over your case to a Seattle Unpaid Wages Lawyer can be a smart idea. A lawyer acts as a safeguard for employees and makes sure backpay is provided and in some cases, even more.
Seattle Employers Have a Deadline for Providing Paychecks to Employees
Some workers in Seattle may enjoy their work, but that doesn’t mean they should be willing to wait for their next paychecks. In fact, a late paycheck can be financially devastating for many. Most will need a steady income to be able to meet rent or mortgage payments, and to pay their credit card bills. Many will need dependable income simply to buy groceries and other necessities for their families.
Fortunately, State labor laws protect employees and require companies and corporations to pay their workers in a certain amount of time. That time limit is usually a month in between paychecks. With that period between pay remaining the same.
The state’s L&I explains the deadline for local employers when it comes to wages and benefits:
Employers are required to pay employees at least once per month on a regular, scheduled payday. An employer may require employees to sign up for direct deposit, as long as this does not impose a cost on the employee. Employers may also offer to pay employees using debit or prepaid payroll cards. If there are fees for using these cards, the employer must provide an alternative that allows employees to access their wages without any fees or costs associated when withdrawing funds.
Generally, it’s important to speak to a lawyer about your case when a lot of unpaid wages is involved. It’s also a good sign to get a lawyer if you end up having to deal with an employee’s lawyer or team of lawyers. It’s usually not a good idea to face off against legal experts on your own.
Penalties for Employers Who Are Late with Paychecks
Washington State’s L&I Department can assess penalties and fines against any company that’s even a day late with a paycheck. The payment of some penalties can be paid to the state. Other penalties are actually awarded to the employee. In many cases, the employer would be responsible for the employee’s lawyer fees if a case is successful.
The employee should receive every penny earned through hours worked, and when benefits are missed out on.
State Law also allows for employees to receive double what they are owed in some cases.
The Revised Code of Washington lays out the laws governing wages:
RCW 49.52.070
Civil liability for double damages.
Any employer and any officer, vice principal or agent of any employer who shall violate any of the provisions of RCW 49.52.050 (1) and (2) shall be liable in a civil action by the aggrieved employee or his or her assignee to judgment for twice the amount of the wages unlawfully rebated or withheld by way of exemplary damages, together with costs of suit and a reasonable sum for attorney’s fees: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the benefits of this section shall not be available to any employee who has knowingly submitted to such violations.
These punishments can benefit the employee as long as the worker didn’t purposely act to cause a delay in a paycheck or an underpay situation.
When handling an unpaid wage claim themselves, employees may focus on getting what’s owed in a paycheck, but they can miss out on additional benefits. An employee acting in bad faith may also escape all the punishment due without the help of a skilled attorney.
What Do I Do If My Seattle Employer Writes a Bad Check?
After receiving a check that bounces, workers can file a workers’ rights complaint. The L&I would be able to help in getting to the bottom of why employees didn’t get paid. The department would also seek reimbursement for you for the bank penalties a bad check triggered. Other charges caused by insufficient funds could also be recovered.
In some cases, if an employer continues to write bad checks, it may become a criminal matter and an issue for law enforcement.
These actions would be on top of the legal action you may have to take to simply get the paycheck you’ve already earned and put in the work for. A Ferraro Vega Washington State Employment Lawyers representative can help you determine your best move and help use protective state laws to shield you if an employer tries to intimidate or threaten you or your position.
Contact a Washington Unpaid Wages Lawyer Today
If your employer has made you wait for the money you’ve rightfully earned, you should be paid promptly, and your legal rights should be protected.
At Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers, we’re here to help you make sure you get reimbursed for what you’ve lost and perhaps even more. We take up the fight until you receive what you are owed. We help victims of wage loss in Seattle and across King County
Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation.