DO most employers want to get this right? Based on the fact that wage theft is the largest form of theft even with everything else combined, I think that’s either a lie or a stupid thing to say.
Also, I just don’t understand under what circumstances anyone should be exempt from overtime. Is there some group of people who are less deserving of getting paid for their time that I am unaware of? Even (shudder) managers should probably get paid.
They want to get it right so they absolutely never have to pay anyone overtime for any reason ever.
YES employers want to get this right. Worked IT for a payroll company for years and we did not fuck around with OT or any other sort of pay. If our clients tried to play around we’d put our foot in their ass and fire them if they kept trying.
The reason wage theft exist is people not knowing their rights. Employers shit kittens if they get a call from the state labor board. In Florida the Board defaults to the employee’s claim unless the employer has solid evidence to refute it.
Do NOT sign off on your hourly pay unless it’s accurate! By signing you agree that you worked those hours, no more, no less.
tl;dr Workers have more rights than they know, employers are well aware.
The reason wage theft exist is people not knowing their rights.
Except that companies break the law when it comes to wage theft all the time and get away with it regardless. So no, that’s not the reason.
If no one calls them on it, of course they get away with it. How many people you know understand that state labor boards even exist?
People do call them on it. They get away with it regardless. You’re living in a world where Boeing kills whistleblowers who reveal the obvious fact that their planes are so shitty they fall apart in mid-air and you think that the workers are to blame for wage theft.
I’m sorry, but I think I disagree. I interpreted your point as “Employers care, you just have to hold them accountable”. I don’t think that is the attitude of companies who want to do things the right way. If workers have more rights than they know, and employers are aware of it, then I do not think that’s an mistake, that’s exploitation.
Employers care because they know there are consequences. Employees don’t know they have rights.
We had a slew of low-paying clients, often weaselly outfits like churches and restaurants. They still knew better than to play around.
But again, they’re only paying what the employee signed off on.
that’s exploitation
Well, yeah? My point is, people, especially young people, don’t have the life knowledge to fight this shit. Hell, I was 47 when I learned all this. As bad as employee rights are in America, we’re not as powerless as we think.
One example from Florida:
You call the labor board and complain that you’re working 50-hours a week and only getting paid for 40. The board will ask your employer to show the signed time sheets. No sheets? 10-4. Employee gets everything they claimed. And the employer gets fined on top of that.
Another:
I got fucked around on overtime. Long story I won’t relate, but I had no idea I had government recourse. My god. A call to the state would have netted me thousands in back pay.
Most employers absolutely do want to get this right.
The only mention of employers is them engaging in profit-seeking.
But remember: Most employers absolutely do want to get this right. Whatever the fuck that means. We’ll plaster the quote everywhere.
I just found out that ‘seasonal’ businesses such as theme parks don’t have to pay overtime! They are often staffed by young people from other countries. It’s some bullshit.
Good for the workers. They deserve it.
Suddenly, my giant ass raise earlier this year makes a lot more sense
