Both federal and state law protect employees from being denied fair pay for hours worked. The Washington Minimum Wage Act (MWA) mandates payment practices that employers must follow. The statute explains when straight pay, overtime, and half-time payment must occur. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the federal equivalent to the MWA, mirrors the state law in many respects.
Under state law, employees can recover twice the amount of wages unlawfully withheld by their employer if they are successful in establishing that their employer "willfully" withheld the wages. Federal law, under the FLSA, provides a similar provision authorizing liquidated (penalty) damages in the same amount as the wages unlawfully withheld. MBE Law Group has successfully obtained double damage victories for their clients who have wrongfully been denied straight pay and overtime wages.
Both state and federal wage statutes similarly protect an employee who has been unfairly treated or retaliated against for asserting his or her rights under the statute. In Washington, employees who have been terminated for seeking redress under the wage statute can similarly bring a cause of action for wrongful termination in violation of public policy. At MBE Law Group, our employment attorneys will not only help you recover your wages, but we will seek swift justice for any retaliation or harassment you have been forced to endure while trying to obtain those wages.