Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers helps construction workers in Minneapolis when they’re facing unpaid wages. Construction work can vary a lot, but one constant is how difficult it is. When that difficulty seeps into your pay, though, it’s incredibly challenging. Our team can make sure you have what you need to get those unpaid wages back. Set up a free consultation today.
Getting a Lawyer For Unpaid Wages
Getting a lawyer isn’t something you immediately think about if you work in construction in Minneapolis. You’re rightly focused on your day-to-day grind of pouring concrete in the North Loop or working around weather delays in Lyn-Lake.
But you work hard every day, and you have a legal right to wages that reflect that. When that doesn’t happen, it’s confusing and disheartening. That’s when you could use guidance, and our team at Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers can help by:
- Looking over your pay records, timesheets, and employment documents
- Explaining what Minnesota wage laws require in your situation
- Communicating with your employer on your behalf
- Gathering evidence that may support your claim
- Helping you recover unpaid earnings while minimizing disruption to your work life
The reality is that unpaid wages happen more often than many construction workers realize. Sometimes it’s a payroll mistake. Other times it’s a company cutting corners when labor costs rise or projects fall behind schedule. You shouldn’t end up shouldering that on your own.
How Do Construction Workers End Up Losing Wages?
Probably the biggest factor in unpaid wages throughout construction companies in Minneapolis is how busy everything is. Projects may be planned and staffed weeks in advance, but they also change on a dime. Crews and needs change, and while that gives you and your coworkers a lot of job security, it also means pay issues can slip through the cracks. Normally though, here’s what usually happens that leads to you losing wages:
- Overtime that never shows up. Construction projects rarely stick to a perfect 40-hour schedule. Deadlines approach, inspections get delayed, and crews often put in extra hours to keep work moving. When overtime isn’t paid correctly, workers may find that all of their hours are listed at the same rate or that some hours disappear altogether.
- Working before or after your shift. The workday doesn’t always start when the clock says it does. You may be asked to arrive early to prepare equipment, attend safety meetings, load materials, or review the day’s assignments. Likewise, cleanup and securing the site often happen after the scheduled shift ends. If you’re performing job duties during that time, those hours may need to be counted as paid work time.
- Unpaid breaks. Construction schedules don’t always leave much room for uninterrupted breaks. Workers sometimes continue performing tasks during lunch periods or remain available while equipment arrives, deliveries are made, or inspections occur. If those breaks are deducted from your pay despite you continuing to work, you may be losing wages you earned.
- Travel between job sites. Many Minneapolis construction workers don’t stay at one location all day. If your employer sends you from one project site to another during your workday, that travel time may qualify as compensable work time depending on the circumstances.
- Being classified as a contractor. Some employers classify workers as independent contractors even though the company controls their schedule, directs their work, and provides the tools or equipment needed to perform the job. Just because paperwork labels you as a contractor doesn’t automatically make it true. In some situations, workers classified this way may still be entitled to protections available to employees.
It’s hard to think about, but any of these things can easily happen to you when you work in construction. But wage laws here aren’t based on the environment or conditions you work under. They’re built on protecting you.
Documentation That Can Show Unpaid Wages
Chances are, you’re going to feel unpaid wages before you actually have proof. But no matter what type of wage violations you’re up against, there’s going to be markers that show you what’s happening. And this shows up in things like:
- Pay stubs
- Direct deposit records
- Work schedules
- Timesheets or clock-in records
- Job site sign-in sheets
- Text messages from supervisors
- Emails discussing work hours
- Daily logs or personal notes tracking your time
- Statements from coworkers who experienced similar issues
Every situation is different, but even partial records can help show what you really need to show: a pattern of wage violations. From there, it’s about taking the next step of holding your employer accountable.
Taking Action After Unpaid Wages in Minneapolis
Unpaid wages are a problem for any worker in Minneapolis, construction workers included. But it’s a problem that doesn’t fix itself. Instead, it takes certain types of action that highlights the problem and asks for it to be resolved. That’s the core of your options in this situation, and it usually includes the following steps:
- Bringing up the issue directly. Sometimes payroll errors happen because of simple mistakes. If you raise the issue with your supervisor, payroll department, or company owner, they can fix the problem right then and there. A lot of times, though, it takes a formal written demand to really clinch things. Our team can put that letter together for you, but it’s also helpful to be prepared for going further.
- Filing a DLI claim. When your employer won’t correct the problem, you may be able to file a wage claim with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). They investigate claims of wage violations, and can order your company to pay you or impose fines. This happens outside of court, so it’s sometimes a less stressful option.
- Filing a lawsuit. When you have heavy unpaid wages, the issue has been ongoing for a long time, or it’s happening to other coworkers, a civil lawsuit is usually the best option. It takes more time and effort, but it can lead to getting “damages” like:
- Unpaid wages
- Overtime pay
- Back pay
- Liquidated damages
- Attorney’s fees and legal costs
Remember, no matter what you decide to do, there’s time limits in place. Unpaid wage claims in Minnesota have to be filed within two years of the date of the last unpaid wage. But there’s a more practical reason for moving forward sooner rather than later: payroll records disappear, companies change, and the infrastructure breaks down. All that makes it harder to get the proof you need, but it’s not impossible with the right guidance.
Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers Can Help Minneapolis Construction Workers
Working in the Minneapolis construction industry takes long days, high-pressure projects, and fast-moving jobsites. That can open the door to unpaid wage claims, but it’s not easy to deal with. However, once you think it’s happening, getting the right team behind you can make the process of getting that pay back much easier.
At Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers, we’ll be there to help explain your options, gather records, and hold your employer accountable. Set up a free consultation today to learn more.
