Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers help workers in Seattle when they aren’t being paid properly. If you work in retail in Seattle, you have the legal right to be paid fairly and on time. Whether you’re at a big department store like Nordstrom or a small shop, your employer must follow wage laws. Our team can help you understand your options and get the pay you’ve rightfully earned. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Should You Get a Lawyer?
No matter what position you have in the retail industry, you might find yourself in a situation where your employer violates your rights as it relates to your pay. Just being employed gives you this right, but whether or not you should get a lawyer depends on your situation. If you feel comfortable enough to talk to your boss or employer directly, you might not need to take action at all.
However, if you’re missing out on significant pay or your employer refuses to fix things, here’s how our team can help you:
- Explaining your rights and options
- Collecting evidence and records
- Talking with your employer directly for you
- Negotiating with insurance companies to reach a resolution
- If a fair resolution isn’t reached, we’ll take legal action for you
Dealing with unpaid wages can be stressful, but you don’t have to go through it by yourself. Our team is here to help you get the pay you’ve worked hard for. We’re here to guide you every step of the way, but it’s important to know what to look for first.
How Would You Face Unpaid Wages as a Retail Worker in Seattle?
Seattle’s retail industry is one of the healthiest in terms of workers, providing various jobs across a number of different stores, like:
- Nordstrom
- Amazon
- Pike Place Market
- Macy’s
- Walmart
- Target
- Costco
- REI
Again, though, no matter who you work for or what your actual position is, you have certain rights under Washington law as it relates to your pay. So then, that means there are a few common ways that your employer might try to get around those laws. Here’s a few of the more common ways you might face unpaid wages:
- Unpaid overtime – As a retail worker in Seattle, you should receive time-and-a-half for any hours worked over 40 in a week. If you’re working overtime but not getting paid properly, your employer is violating wage laws.
- Misclassifying employees – Some employers might try to misclassify you as exempt from overtime or label you as an independent contractor to avoid paying you benefits or proper overtime. Know your rights to ensure you’re being classified correctly.
- Delaying paychecks – If you’re working for a large retailer in Seattle and your paycheck is delayed or you’re not getting paid on time, that’s a violation of Washington’s wage laws. You’re entitled to timely payment for your work.
- Unpaid breaks – As a retail worker in Seattle, you are entitled to meal and rest breaks. If your employer is making you work through those breaks or not paying you for your time, they are breaking the law.
- Not paying for uniforms – If your employer requires you to buy or maintain uniforms but isn’t reimbursing you or factoring those costs into your wages, it could be a violation of Washington’s wage laws.
What’s frustrating about these issues isn’t just that your employer knows what’s right, but that it’s ultimately costing you money. Financial stress makes everything harder, but as a retail worker, you have specific options to address this situation.
What Options Do You Have For Unpaid Wages as a Retail Worker?
Legally speaking, just being employed in Seattle gives you options when you face unpaid wages. Better yet, these options aren’t exclusively legal–filing an administrative claim is usually the first step and might fix things without taking legal action at all. In general, though, here’s your options for dealing with unpaid wages:
- Filing an L&I claim – You can start by filing an unpaid wage claim with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). They handle wage theft claims and will investigate your case. If they find your employer in violation, they can issue fines and order your employer to pay your unpaid wages.
- Filing a lawsuit – Another option is to take your case to court. You can file a civil lawsuit to claim damages like:
- Unpaid wages
- Back pay for missed payments
- Additional compensation called liquidated damages
- Emotional distress damages
- Attorneys fees and court costs
- Class action lawsuit – If multiple workers are affected, a class action lawsuit could be another option. This allows you and others in similar situations to collectively file a lawsuit, which can help strengthen your case and potentially speed up the process.
If you’re considering legal action, make sure to file within Washington’s time limit. Generally, you have three years from the date of your last paycheck to file a claim.
How Do You Build a Strong Claim For Unpaid Wages?
Knowing your rights as a retail worker is important, but you also need to prove you were financially harmed. Luckily, proving unpaid wages can be simple if you have the right documentation.
Here’s what you’ll likely need to make a strong unpaid wage claim:
- Pay stubs – These show how much you were paid. If there are any errors, they can help prove you weren’t paid correctly.
- Time records – Retail workers often clock in and out. Keep track of your hours worked–especially overtime–so you can show any unpaid time.
- Sales records or schedules – These can help confirm your hours worked, especially if you worked extra shifts or overtime without pay.
- Job descriptions – Any written agreement or promises about your pay rate, overtime, or benefits can back up your claim.
- Communication with your employer – If you’ve talked to your employer about missing pay or overtime, any emails, text messages, or recordings about those conversations can be helpful.
- Coworker statements – If other workers are having the same issues, their statements can show this is a company-wide problem. This will also help if you decide to start or join a class action.
- Uniform or equipment costs – If you had to buy uniforms or gear for your job but weren’t reimbursed, that’s part of your claim too.
By collecting and organizing these records, you’ll have a stronger case for unpaid wages. Our team can guide you through this process to make sure everything is in order, then support you throughout the process.
Contact Ferraro Vega If You’re Facing Unpaid Wages in Seattle
Working in the retail industry is a daily reality for many people in Seattle. You work hard to provide for yourself and your family, and while you have legal rights to fair pay, your employer might not take their responsibility so seriously. When this happens, you can turn to our team at Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers for help. If you believe you’re facing unpaid wages, contact us today for a free consultation.