Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers is committed to protecting the rights of workers in California. As a worker, one of the most basic rights you should be able to count on is to be paid fairly for your work and the travel involved. Not being paid for travel time is a big issue for many in California, but the law is on your side. To learn more about your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation.
Do I Need an Employment Lawyer to Help Get Unpaid Travel Reimbursement?
Yes, in some cases. Your lawyer can help you hold your California employers responsible for mistakes on paychecks. Your lawyer helps you force your employer to admit fault and make restitution.
If you go to your employer or payroll department and it appears they are trying to fix the issue, you may not need a lawyer’s help. But if your issue isn’t being taken seriously, and more and more lost income is involved, it’s time to talk over your case with a California Unpaid Wage Lawyer.
You may need a lawyer’s help if these are factors in your case:
- If your wage loss is substantial, consult with a lawyer.
- If your case is complex, consult with a lawyer.
- If your case will require a lot of investigative work and document retrieval, consult with a lawyer.
- If your employer will be fighting the claim, you should consult with a lawyer.
- If you’ve been threatened with losing your job because you spoke up. These types of threats are illegal
- If coworkers are dealing with the same issue.
- If you want to secure the money you are owed for travel, and in some cases, more.
What Are My Rights If My California Employer Doesn’t Pay Me for Travel Time?
California workers are entitled to compensation for the travel they must complete for their jobs. It includes any mandatory travel for work purposes, and when employers don’t pay employees for this time, it’s considered wage theft. You have the right to demand compensation.
Employees might be asked to travel from work site to work site and should be paid for the time spent in travel. Overnight travel to meet with a client or to attend meetings or training sessions can earn travel pay. In other instances, employees may be asked to deliver products or to carry tools to other work sites.
California’s labor laws go into the responsibilities of employers who ask their employees to travel to complete their work duties.
California LABOR CODE 2802.
“(a) An employer shall indemnify his or her employee for all necessary expenditures or losses incurred by the employee in direct consequence of the discharge of his or her duties, or of his or her obedience to the directions of the employer, even though unlawful, unless the employee, at the time of obeying the directions, believed them to be unlawful.”
- Your travel time can add up and qualify you for overtime pay
- Employees can be eligible for pay for their commute to work if they are asked to make stops before arriving at the office
- Business travel should be reimbursed just like hours at work, and your travel to and from destinations can also be part of compensation on your paycheck
- In some cases, employers must pay an employee’s legal fees involved in a claim over unpaid wages
The key to many of these cases will be establishing what can be considered work and what can’t be considered work. Having a lawyer handle your case can make this task much easier. Your Ferraro Vega representative fully investigates your employer and your job duties. Your lawyer gathers strong evidence to prove that the work you performed was mandatory and that you should be fully reimbursed.
What Should I Do If I Feel Like I Should Be Getting Paid for Work Travel?
You should start collecting evidence. When you are asked to travel on the job, you should keep detailed records of the times you travel and the tasks you are asked to complete.
Hang on to your pay stubs. Start documenting the pay you receive and what your take-home pay would be if you were paid for all of your travel hours properly.
Keep records of your communications with your bosses and the HR and Payroll departments. Store emails and keep notes on what you are told in meetings.
Contact a lawyer. Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers have experience facing off against employers, big and small, to secure what our clients are owed. We also prioritize protecting the job security of our clients. Your lawyer is ready to take on the teams of lawyers that corporations can afford to hire. They will be asked to poke holes in your wage claim and try to get you to accept as little in compensation as possible.
Don’t ignore your wage loss while falling behind on things like your rent, mortgage, car payments, and credit card bills. A delay in your pay might damage your credit rating and cause you to lose possessions or leave your family without a place to live.
Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers will have the benefit of experience and familiarity with California labor laws to pressure businesses to accept responsibility for mistakes in wage calculations. A legal representative will have a good chance of securing more for your claim than you could earn on your own.
Contact a California Unpaid Vacation Time Claims Lawyer Today
If your employer isn’t reimbursing you for all your travel time, you have legal rights that need to be protected. At Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers, we’re here to help you make sure you get compensated. We take up the fight until you receive what you are owed.
We help all victims of wage theft, no matter their immigration status. California labor laws protect all workers.
At the same time, we safeguard your job security and shield you from any retaliation. Our team knows the city, state, and U.S. labor laws and will work hard to hold your employer accountable. Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation.