What damages can i claim when an employer is underpaying bellow minimum wage ?

Question

ok this job does not exxempt the employer from paying bellow minimum.
i've already found another job which increased my pay almost 1/3 more then last job doing similar work..

- victim of crime ?
- Lost of future investment money ?
- Travel expenses ?
- Legal fees ?

can you list others ?

Additional Details

2 seconds ago
ok to make things more sense, i am working as a storeman, i drive forklifts, i work with heavy metals, (springs weights 3-8 KGS each and i have to pack thousands of these a day, bending my back etc). after 9 months it does make my back sore everymorning even though i am only 23...

Answer 1

If you are in Australia, contact the Office of Workplace Services and they will be able to give you advice as to what the minimum award you should've been paid and they will act on your behalf to reclaim the money owed. I did this with my old employer, and although it took a while to receive all the money, I still received it in the end, and the investigation uncovered a whole lot of things that they were eventually charged with.

Although theoretically you may be able to sue and claim other benefits, you need to take into account that victim of crimes assistance is there to assist victims. Yes, your employer did you wrong, but providing you get the money owed, you are not neccessarily suffering serious damage from it. Victims of crime assistance is there for rape victims, family members of murder victims and so on who really need the money...

If you have suffered an injury at work, you may be able to claim compensation through your employers liability insurance. The best people to contact regarding this would probably be a union (if you're a member). They generally provide free, or heavily discounted prices, for issues such as this.

Just keep in mind that if you do decide to sue, the courts would probably view this as a fairly trivial matter. It would cost you a lot of money in legal fees, and not to mention, would be extremely time consuming, for little or no return.

Answer 2

This really depends on the Labor Commissioner's ruling in your state. Each state has different laws and regulations and limits to compesation should negligence be proven.

For example: Here in California. One would file a claim with the Labor Commissioner's office, (They have the forms to email or fax you) and you offer your proof of unfair labor practices, via pay stubs, pay checks and maybe sneak a copy of your time sheet and or time card to send along with it, though the employer has to show those if asked anyway. Once it is determined that you have been cheated, the employer owes you back pay for the entire time you were cheated PLUS A DAY'S WAGES FOR EVERY DAY YOU WERE NOT PAYED ON TIME, UP TO 30 DAYS OR $3000.00, which ever comes first. This does not include the penalties and fines the employer will have to fork over to the State and perhaps Federal Government as well.

Simply put, you need to contact your state's LABOR COMMISSIONER.

Try not to be SUE happy about this. Just go for what is rightfully owed to you, no more and no less. You don't want to be a loser like your ex-employer.

Answer 3

I think you can sue for unpaid wages. And, when looking for a job next time, check with employees to make sure that the employer pays fair wages!

Answer 4

I would talk to the labor board and tell them what his employer is doing. You cannot sue, you don't have the money to sue. If you need to file Workman's comp I recommend you get on it right away before you quit.

Answer 5

I assume you have verified the minimum wage in YOUR state.

Answer 6

theft.......... for steeling 1/3 of your $$$