“Off-the-Clock” Work
Many people are illegally asked or pressured to complete unpaid labor, from restaurant workers to warehouse workers. However, no matter the circumstances, employers must pay employees for the time they spend working. This is true for hourly and overtime-eligible salary employees. Even employees who are not eligible for overtime pay have protections safeguarding their labor rights, such as highly paid executives and specific technology professionals. Although all businesses must compensate workers for missed wages, employers that intentionally violate Philadelphia’s off-the-clock work laws may be ordered to pay additional liquidated damages.
Common Types of Unpaid Off-the-Clock Work in Philadelphia
- Coming in early or staying late to help with setup or closing duties
- Helping colleagues finish projects outside of your work hours
- Working through lunch breaks to meet deadlines
- Meeting with supervisors outside of work hours
- Spending hours prepping machinery or putting on special equipment
- Working unpaid overtime
Recovering Unpaid Wages for Off-the-Clock Work
Employment law attorneys play an instrumental role in helping individuals who were compelled to work off-the-clock without compensation. These legal professionals have an in-depth understanding of labor law intricacies and can help aggrieved individuals navigate the often complex process of claiming unpaid wages. These lawyers work tirelessly to ensure that employees' rights are upheld, and to ensure those workers receive compensation for their valuable work. An attorney can assess your situation, gather necessary evidence, and effectively communicate your case in court to ensure you receive the wages you have rightfully earned.
The services that employment law attorneys provide to their clients include:
- Offering a thorough review and evaluation of your situation to determine if you're eligible to make a claim for unpaid wages.
- Collecting and organizing evidence to substantiate your off-the-clock work claim.
- Skillfully negotiating with your employer or their legal team to seek fair compensation.
- Filing necessary documents and managing legal paperwork.
- Representing you in court, if necessary, and arguing your case before a judge or jury.
- Guiding you through the appeals process if initial claims are denied.
- Offering legal advice and support throughout the entire legal process.
Working Off the Clock in Pennsylvania
Many people are illegally asked or pressured to complete unpaid labor, from restaurant workers to warehouse workers. However, no matter the circumstances, employers must pay employees for the time they spend working. This is true for hourly and overtime-eligible salary employees. Even employees who are not eligible for overtime pay have protections safeguarding their labor rights, such as highly paid executives and specific technology professionals. Although all businesses must compensate workers for missed wages, employers that intentionally violate Philadelphia’s off-the-clock work laws may be ordered to pay additional liquidated damages.
Working off the clock can take many forms, some examples include:
- Coming in early or staying late to help with setup or closing duties
- Helping colleagues finish projects outside of your work hours
- Working through lunch breaks to meet deadlines
- Meeting with supervisors outside of work hours
- Spending hours prepping machinery or putting on special equipment
- Working unpaid overtime
How an Attorney Can Help You Get Compensation for Off-the-Clock Work
Employment law attorneys play an instrumental role in helping individuals who were compelled to work off-the-clock without compensation. These legal professionals have an in-depth understanding of labor law intricacies and can help aggrieved individuals navigate the often complex process of claiming unpaid wages. These lawyers work tirelessly to ensure that employees' rights are upheld, and to ensure those workers receive compensation for their valuable work. An attorney can assess your situation, gather necessary evidence, and effectively communicate your case in court to ensure you receive the wages you have rightfully earned.
The services that employment law attorneys provide to their clients include:
- Offering a thorough review and evaluation of your situation to determine if you're eligible to make a claim for unpaid wages.
- Collecting and organizing evidence to substantiate your off-the-clock work claim.
- Skillfully negotiating with your employer or their legal team to seek fair compensation.
- Filing necessary documents and managing legal paperwork.
- Representing you in court, if necessary, and arguing your case before a judge or jury.
- Guiding you through the appeals process if initial claims are denied.
- Offering legal advice and support throughout the entire legal process.
Let Winebrake & Santillo Defend Your Rights
At Winebrake & Santillo, we’ve had tremendous success representing workers whose employers required them to work off the clock. In fact, we’ve litigated more wage and hour cases than any other firm in Pennsylvania and have a strong record of securing favorable settlements for our clients. With over 70 years of combined experience, you can feel confident knowing that you’re partnering with a firm that has the insight and knowledge needed to aggressively pursue an optimal resolution to your case.
Call (215) 866-1551 to request a free consultation to discuss whether you are entitled to compensation for unpaid labor.
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“Winebrake & Santillo has a considerable record in employment matters.” - Ricci v. Newrez LLC, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 186727, at *23 (E.D. Pa. Oct. 17, 2023)
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“Have significant experience in similar matters under the [Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act]” - Torres v. Brandsafway Indus. LLC, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10631, at *8 (W.D. Pa. Jan. 20, 2023).
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“I highly recommend this law firm.” - Brandon