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Companies in New York Fail to Pay Overtime

New York and federal labor laws provide protections for those working in the state of New York.  Two of the most well-known protections are the minimum wage and mandatory overtime laws.  New York’s minimum wage already exceeds the federal minimum wage of $7.25 and was increased to $8.75 at the end of 2014.  New York largely follows federal overtime laws, which provide that employers must pay time and a half for hours worked over 40 in a week.  Failure to pay overtime can result in civil penalties against the employer.

Which Employees Do Not Qualify for Overtime Protections?

There are certain types of employees that are considered exempt from the overtime rules.  These exempt employees are paid a salary rather than an hourly wage and often end up working far more than 40 hours per week without overtime compensation.  To be exempt, employees must either fall into one of the categories of jobs that are automatically exempt, like outside sales professionals, or make a certain salary and perform what are referred to as exempt job duties.

There is a temptation on the part of employers to try to classify employees as exempt in order to avoid having to pay overtime wages.  However, it is form, and not title, that matters.  In other words, if an employer calls an employee “exempt” but the employee doesn’t meet the legal tests for an exempt employee, that employee is entitled to overtime and the employer’s failure to pay overtime is illegal.

When Employers Don’t Follow The Law

Most employers follow federal and New York wage and hour laws, including those governing overtime, but some don’t and their employees suffer.  Fortunately, under the law employees can pursue and obtain their unpaid back wages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and in many cases, liquidated damages of the amount of unpaid wages.  In other words, double the back pay due.

Of course, some employers mean well but are uninformed or ill-advised, and don’t pay overtime or don’t pay all overtime due to their employees.  Where the failure to pay time and a half for hours was in good faith and based on the employer’s reasonable belief that it was in compliance with state and federal overtime laws, 29 USC § 260 gives the court the ability to award only back pay and no liquidated damages.  On the flipside, if the employer’s failure to pay overtime was willful, the court will double the liquidated damages award.

Types of Employees Most At Risk

Due to the unique nature of their schedules, certain types of employees are more at risk of having their overtime illegally withheld.  Those groups of employees include medical workers like nurses or LPNs, service professionals like cooks and servers, and laborers like nannies that provide work inside the home.

For employees that receive tips, issues like tip-sharing and the tip credit towards the minimum wage can make overtime issues confusing and increase the likelihood that a tipped employee was underpaid for their work over 40 hours per week.  Tipped employees, like all other non-exempt employees, are entitled to mandatory overtime of time and a half for hours worked over 40.  The calculation of time and a half should be based on the minimum wage, not the lower cash payment.

Your Overtime Wages

If you think you may be entitled to back-pay for your employer’s failure to pay overtime, contact the unpaid overtime attorneys at Joseph and Norinsberg by phone at 212-JUSTICE or e-mail at info@employeejustice.com.

2021-01-28T19:20:20+00:00January 23rd, 2015|Wage & Hour Violations|

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This was the first and hopefully my last lawsuit and the process wasn’t what I thought. The patience shown to me (even when I became frustrated) was great. Everyone showed respect, sensitivity, and I’d recommend the firm to everyone. Losing my job set me behind on several bills, but I can now pay them. The situation I went through will help me going forward.

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I am very amazed and pleased for the wonderful work Diego Barros did for me and our co-workers, speechless to see how wonderful and constructive everything work. First time with Diego Barros and i am totally impressed to have seen how great you have worked for all of us, i will totally recommend you to anybody who is in need of help without at doubt at all in all senses.
Ysaac G
Mr. Diego helped me WIN and reach a great settlement. Wages recovered from lack of pay and serious misconducts from employer. He was very informative and easy to talk to every step of the way. Very happy with the settlement I received. He will go for the win and get you what you deserve! If you having problems with employment I give Mr. Diego my full recommendation to get your issues resolved. 
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To have Bennitta Joseph who wins high profile cases against companies like Delta is a win for any company. The fact that they equip entrepreneurs like me with tools to compete with fortune 500 is a competitive advantage. If you are a company that deals with people and wants to succeed, hiring her is a must!
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This was the first and hopefully my last lawsuit and the process wasn’t what I thought.  The patience shown to me (even when I became frustrated) was great.  Everyone showed respect, sensitivity, and I’d recommend the firm to everyone.  Losing my job set me behind on several bills, but I can now pay them.  The situation I went through will help me going forward. 
Isaiah B.
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