Wage and hour laws protect workers by ensuring they receive compensation for the work they have done. It is important that workers receive the compensation they have earned and worked hard for to help support themselves and their families which is why it is essential to be familiar with wage and hour laws.
Overtime protections
Employers are required to pay workers one and half times their regular rate of pay when they work over 40 hours in a work week. There are exceptions to overtime requirements that Indiana workers should be familiar with.
Underpayment or nonpayment of wages
If a worker has not received payment for their hours worked, they should inquire from the employer why they have not received payment and document the reason given. When an employee has been fired or laid off and does not receive compensation they believe is owed to them, they can file a claim with the Indiana Department of Labor and the next option is to file a civil claim to recover unpaid wages. Employees who have quit can also file a wage claim or a civil claim to recover unpaid wages owed to them.
Employment laws, including wage and hour laws, provide important protections for workers and protect them in their workplaces. Both federal and state laws in Indiana may protect workers when it comes to minimum wage and there are a variety of different protections for workers in different situations, including tipped workers. The more workers know about wage and hour laws and how they are protected, the better position they will be in to enforce their rights.
