Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers helps construction workers in Tacoma when they’re dealing with unpaid wages. You already know how demanding the job can be day in and day out. That’s why it’s especially frustrating when your company tries to get around paying you what you’re owed. Our team can make sure that doesn’t happen. Set up a free consultation today.
Why Would I Need a Lawyer?
Construction work covers a lot of different jobs, teams, and companies. That offers a lot of wiggle room for these companies to try to get around the law when it comes to your pay. That’s a situation no construction worker in Tacoma wants to be in, but it’s far more common than you might think. You don’t always need a lawyer, but the reality is that you’re already dealing with enough. That’s where our team can step in and help you by:
- Reviewing your pay stubs, schedules, and any employment paperwork you have
- Explaining what Washington law says about how construction workers must be paid
- Talking with the company directly so you don’t have to handle it alone
- Working toward resolving the issue while keeping your work situation as smooth as possible
Obviously, every situation is different. But the key thing you need to remember is that you have a legal right to be paid fairly. That doesn’t always happen in Tacoma, particularly in the construction industry.
What Kinds of Unpaid Wages Happen to Construction Workers Like Me?
When you think about the range of different companies and workers that you’ll find on a typical construction site in Tacoma, it’s easy to see where the gaps are in terms of pay. The reality is that companies have to juggle numerous projects with their own budgets. But that doesn’t mean that your company can take shortcuts when it comes to your pay. And again, while every situation is different, there are a few common ways that construction workers like you will face unpaid wages:
- Not paying you overtime when you work more than 40 hours a week.
- Being made to work “off-the-clock”, like setting up work stations before your shift starts or being made to stay over to clean up equipment or tools.
- Working through your breaks without pay.
- Having uniforms, tools, or other things deducted from your pay.
- Not getting hazard pay for especially dangerous conditions.
- Being labeled as an “independent contractor” rather than a full-time employee.
Every situation is a bit different, but these are generally how unpaid wages happen to construction workers throughout Tacoma. But just knowing how it happens is only part of the equation. The other part is actually showing it.
How Can I Show I’m Facing Unpaid Wages?
One thing about construction work is that there’s usually a paper trail behind your pay. The challenge is that much of that documentation is controlled by the company. Most workers only see their pay stub or direct deposit notice. If you’re not looking closely, it can be easy to miss small discrepancies week after week.
But once something feels off, the goal is to start building a clear picture of what’s been happening. Here’s what you can use to show that:
- Pay stubs or direct deposit records showing what you were paid
- Work schedules, job assignments, or shift notices
- Time clock entries, sign-in sheets, or digital timekeeping records
- Text messages or emails from supervisors asking you to start early, stay late, or work additional hours
- Statements from coworkers who may be dealing with the same pay issues
Here’s something important to remember: you don’t need to have everything in order right now. It’s about showing a pattern. One instance of unpaid wages can easily be explained away as an “accounting error,” but the more documentation you have, the easier it’ll be to take the next steps.
What Are My Options for Dealing With Unpaid Wages as a Construction Worker?
Construction workers are used to handling tough problems on the job. But pay issues are different. When the hours you worked don’t show up in your paycheck, it affects more than just your workday—it affects your ability to support yourself and your family.
So what can you actually do about it? The answer depends on the situation, but most workers have a few possible paths:
- Talking with the company. Sometimes a pay issue comes from a payroll mistake or miscommunication. Bringing it up with the company’s payroll department may be enough to get the issue corrected. If the company is willing to fix the problem, this can be the quickest solution.
- Filing a claim with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). If the company refuses to address the problem, you can file a wage claim with L&I. They’ll investigate to see if you aren’t being paid fairly, and can order the company to pay you what you’re owed. They can also impose penalties when the company repeatedly violates wage laws.
- Filing a lawsuit. In situations where large amounts of your wages are missing—or where the issue has gone on for a long time—a civil lawsuit may be the best option. Through a lawsuit, you can recover “damages” like:
- Unpaid wages
- Back pay
- Liquidated damages (additional damages related to the wage violation)
- Attorney’s fees and court costs
- Emotional distress damages in certain situations
If multiple workers on the same project are dealing with similar wage issues, it may also be possible to move forward together through a class action lawsuit.
It’s also important to know that Washington generally allows three years from the date of the last unpaid wage to file a claim. That might seem like plenty of time, but records and documentation on construction projects can disappear quickly as crews move from one job to the next.
Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers Help Construction Workers in Tacoma
Construction work keeps Tacoma growing. From new housing developments to commercial projects and infrastructure improvements, skilled workers are behind the progress happening across the city. But no one should have to deal with missing wages after putting in long days on a job site.
At Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers, our team will be there to help you through this. Set up a free consultation today to talk over your options.
