Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers help workers in Washington that are facing unpaid wages. While it’s easy to understand how unpaid wages feels, actually figuring out whether you’re actually being underpaid can be confusing. Terms like unpaid wages, wage theft, and misclassification can leave you wondering what your next steps should be. Our team can step in and help you. Start with a free consultation today.
How Can I Check to See If I’m Being Paid the Right Amount?
When you work in Washington, your employer has to legally make sure you receive full and accurate pay for the hours you work. But sometimes mistakes happen—while other times your employer tries to intentionally pay less than what you’re owed.
One way or the other, there are ways that you can confirm that you are indeed being underpaid. Here’s how:
- Start by reviewing your pay stubs. Compare them to the hours you actually worked. This is often the first step in seeing that you have been underpaid, but you’ll want to also make sure that:
- Your pay matches the rate you agreed to when you were hired. If you earn overtime, check that it’s calculated correctly.
- You’re earning minimum wage. In Washington, full-time employees have to make at least $16.66 per hour.
- You’re not facing illegal deductions for things like uniforms, tools, etc.
Pay records are the core of any unpaid wage claim, but you’ll also want to keep track of things like:
- Timecards, schedules, or logs of hours worked
- Written agreements or offer letters outlining your pay
- Emails or messages with your employer discussing your wages
Once you have all your records, compare them carefully to your paychecks. If things aren’t matching up, you’ll have what you need to go ahead with an unpaid wage claim. But you might be wondering what those options actually are.
What Are My Options For Getting My Unpaid Wages Back?
Figuring out that you haven’t been paid correctly is only part of the equation. The next step afterward is actually making things right, and you can do that in a number of ways–and it doesn’t have to involve a judge:
- Talk to your employer. Sometimes payroll mistakes happen accidentally. Bringing discrepancies to your employer’s attention may resolve the issue quickly. Keep your communications professional and document everything in writing.
- File a claim with the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). L&I handles unpaid wage claims and can investigate violations. They can order your employer to pay the wages owed and may even assess penalties for willful violations. Filing with L&I is often faster and less formal than going to court.
- File a lawsuit. If your employer refuses to pay or the situation is more complex, you can file a lawsuit to recover unpaid wages. In Washington, employees can claim not only the wages owed but also interest and penalties. A lawsuit can sometimes recover more than what L&I would give you, but it can take longer. Regardless, if you file a lawsuit (or join a class action), you can potentially recover:
- Unpaid wages plus interest
- Liquidated damages (up to double your unpaid wages)
- Emotional distress
Each option has different timelines and rules. For example, Washington law requires wage claims to be filed within three years for unpaid wages,and there are different options for different work situations.
Do I Need to Get a Lawyer For Unpaid Wages in Washington?
With options at your disposal, it’s tempting to just try to take care of things on your own. But with unpaid wages, it’s going to be viewed as cutting into the company’s bottom line. If it wasn’t a simple payroll or accounting error, it’s likely that your employer isn’t going to just admit they didn’t pay you correctly.
So, trying to face your employer and make them do what’s right can feel isolating. That’s why it’s helpful to have someone on your side that can handle the hard parts for you, and that’s exactly what our team at Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers can do. We’ll:
- Review your records to identify missed wages, overtime errors, or unlawful deductions.
- Handle communications with your employer so you don’t risk retaliation or making mistakes that could weaken your claim.
- Guide you on the best approach—whether that’s filing with L&I, negotiating a settlement, or going to court.
- Accurately tally up your claim so you can get back all unpaid wages, overtime, and any other damages.
Your job is hard enough without facing extra problems from the people that employ you. Working with our team is simply a way to make sure you’re treated fairly and paid the way you’re supposed to under the law. If you feel like you’re facing unpaid wages or other job issues in Washington, reach out to our team today and set up a free consultation. We’ll go over your options and help you.
