Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers stands up for hotel workers in Seattle who aren’t paid fairly. Whether you work at a major hotel chain or a smaller boutique lodging, you have legal rights when it comes to your wages. Our Seattle unpaid wage claim lawyers can help you understand your options and guide you through the process of recovering the pay you’ve rightfully earned. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
It’s true that you have certain rights to fair pay as a hotel worker in Seattle, but that doesn’t mean your employer always follows them. While it’s not required, getting a lawyer can be crucial in certain situations. Here’s why you would need our team’s help:
- Figuring out if you were paid properly – Wage rules can be confusing, and your employer might not explain them clearly. Our lawyers can help you understand if you’re getting the pay you’re supposed to.
- Getting missing or late pay – If your paycheck is late, short, or missing overtime pay, a lawyer can help you gather proof and take the right steps to get what you’re owed.
- Retaliation – Speaking up about unpaid wages can be scary if you’re worried your boss might cut your hours or fire you. Our lawyers make sure you’re protected and can take action if your employer retaliates.
- Getting you a fair settlement – If your employer offers to pay you back but it seems too low, our team can make sure the offer is fair.
Dealing with unpaid wages can be frustrating and stressful, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Our team is here to help you get the pay you’ve worked hard for. Before you get to that point, though, you need to know what to do to set up a potential claim.
What Should You Do If You Think You’re Not Being Paid Correctly?
No matter what your job is at a particular hotel, there’s certain things you’re going to need to do to set up a potential unpaid wage claim. As you might expect, it’s all about gathering documentation and letting your employer know that there’s an issue. So, if you’re in this situation, here’s what you can do:
- Track your hours and pay – Save pay stubs, record your hours worked, and document any wage discrepancies, such as missing overtime or late paychecks.
- Keep any communication – Store emails, text messages, or written policies from management that relate to your wages or pay issues.
- Address things internally first – Try talking about your issue with your boss or HR. Sometimes, wage violations can be corrected without further action, and this also makes sure that they are aware of the issue.
Seattle’s hotel industry relies on hard-working employees like you, but not all employers follow wage laws. If you feel like you’re going through wage theft, withheld pay, or retaliation for speaking up, know that you have legal options.
What Claims Options Do You Have For Unpaid Wages as a Hotel Worker in Seattle?
Legally speaking, you have certain legal options for filing a claim when you’re not being paid correctly as a hotel worker in Seattle. And like workers in other industries, there’s generally two options:
- Filing a claim with the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)
- Filing a lawsuit
L&I is the government agency that enforces wage laws and investigates wage theft. You’ll need to provide any evidence you have (pay stubs, work schedules, messages, etc.), and L&I will review your case. If they find your employer owes you money, they can fine them and order them to pay you.
If your employer still won’t fix the issue, you can take them to court by filing a lawsuit–either on your own or in a class action lawsuit with coworkers in similar situations. Our team handles your claim once it reaches this phase, making sure we meet court deadlines, make filings, and ultimately get you a fair settlement or verdict for your “damages.” In an unpaid wage claim, you might potentially recover things like:
- Unpaid wages – The money you should have been paid.
- Liquidated damages – In some cases, you could receive double the unpaid wages.
- Emotional distress damages – This covers costs relating to the stress and hardship that the wage violations caused you.
Washington law gives you three years from the last wage violation to file a claim. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your chance to recover what you’re owed.
How Do Employers Violate Wage Laws for Seattle Hotel Workers?
Seattle’s hotel industry relies on hard-working employees. And while it’s clear that there’s legal protections in place, employers still try to get around them. No matter what your role is–housekeeping, front desk, kitchen staff, or maintenance–you could face unpaid wages in different ways, such as:
- Unpaid overtime – Many hotel workers put in long hours, but employers sometimes fail to pay the required time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 in a week. Some may even misclassify workers to avoid paying overtime.
- Off-the-clock work – If you’re asked to set up, clean, or do other tasks before or after your shift without pay, that’s wage theft.
- Delayed paychecks – Employers may delay paychecks or fail to issue a final paycheck when you leave, both of which violate wage laws.
- Tip violations – If you receive tips, your employer cannot take them or use them to count toward your hourly wage. Tip pooling must also follow strict legal guidelines.
- Uniform costs – If your employer requires a uniform but makes you pay for it, they may be violating wage laws, especially if it causes your pay to fall below minimum wage.
- Misclassification – Some hotels wrongly classify employees as independent contractors or salaried workers to avoid paying overtime and benefits. This is common with shift supervisors or managerial roles.
- Unpaid meals or breaks – Hotel workers like you are legally required to be provided with paid meal and rest breaks, and if they’re denied or unpaid, you may have a claim.
- Unpaid training or meetings – If your employer requires you to attend training sessions or meetings without pay, they may be violating wage laws.
Every hotel operates differently, but you have rights no matter what your job is. The first step to taking action is recognizing these wage violations–then holding your employer accountable. From there, you can rely on our team for guidance and support.
Unpaid Wages for Workers at…
Hyatt Regencies
Sheratons
Hiltons
Courtyard by Marriotts
The Belltown Inn
Mayflower Park Hotel
Hotel Workers in Seattle Can Count on Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers
If you’re a hotel worker in Seattle dealing with unpaid wages, you might not know where to turn or what to do. Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers understands how frustrating and unfair it is to work hard but not receive the pay you’ve rightfully earned. Our team is ready to fight for these wages, and will make sure you have a strong claim.
If you believe your employer has violated wage laws, contact us today for a free consultation to talk about your options.