Your Tampa Wage & Hour Questions Answered: “I Just Got My Paycheck, and It Doesn’t Look Right. What Can I Do?”
For many Tampa workers, pay day is an exciting day, and a day that is much anticipated. However, when a Tampa worker opens up their paycheck only to discover that something seems off, they can feel confused, alarmed, and cheated. There is no question that whether your pay is lower than expected, missing overtime, or reflecting unauthorized deductions, it is important to know your rights under both Florida and federal law. In Tampa, workers are protected by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and certain state regulations that govern how and when Tampa workers must get paid. If your paycheck seems fishy, here are three things that you can do to help resolve the discrepancy and get your correct pay due to you.
#1. Review the Paycheck and Any Other Pay Documents
The first step that Tampa workers who believe that they may not have been paid correctly, fairly, or accurately can take is to review their paycheck very carefully, along with any other pay-related documents. Documents that might help shed light on the issue may be your employee handbook, the compensation policy applicable to you, and the pay stub details. Tampa workers who believe that their pay is incorrect should look for details such as the number of hours worked, their hourly rate or salary, overtime pay, bonuses, and any deductions. Sometimes errors happen due to simple clerical mistakes, such as entering the wrong number of hours or miscalculating overtime. Other times, the issue may be more serious, such as an employer failing to pay the legal minimum wage or intentionally withholding wages from Tampa workers.
#2. Contacting Your Employer About the Discrepancy
The second thing that Tampa workers can do if they believe their pay is incorrect is to discuss the issue with their employer. Tampa workers can notify their employer or payroll department to review the paycheck and ensure it is accurate. The truth of the matter is that some issues can be resolved quickly when brought to the employer’s attention, especially if they stem from an innocent oversight. However, some pay issues are more complex, and employers may not be receptive to a conversation about correcting pay. This is where an experienced Tampa wage and hour lawyer comes in.
#3. Consulting with a Tampa Wage and Hour Lawyer
If your employer refuses to correct your pay, or if you would like an experienced lawyer to review your paycheck first, the best thing to do is to speak with an experienced Tampa wage and hour lawyer. An experienced Tampa wage and hour lawyer can review your paycheck and any other relevant pay documents to help determine whether pay is due to you. An experienced Tampa wage and hour lawyer can help determine if other workers are also being paid unlawfully, and can potentially bring a class action lawsuit to get justice for all aggrieved employees.
If you are in the Tampa area and you need legal help, contact the experienced Tampa wage and hour lawyers at Florin Gray. Contact Florin Gray today to discuss your pay now.
