Report: Approximately 14,000 Employees in Florida Owed Money in Unpaid/Underpaid Wages
According to a report from NBC 6 South Florida, there are approximately 14,000 employees in Florida who are entitled to more than $6.5 million in collective unpaid and underpaid wages. Notably, these are funds that have already been collected by employers from the United States Department of Labor (DOL). The federal agency is trying to track down eligible workers.
A Website is Set Up for Workers to See If they are Eligible for Compensation
In recent years, many millions of dollars have been recovered on behalf of workers in Florida who are owed back wages. However, not all of that money has actually been paid out. The U.S. DOL estimates that it currently has $6,5 million in compensation for workers in Florida who are owed money.
A new website enables former employees to verify if their past employer is listed for owing back wages. Compensation may be available for minimum wages violations, overtime violations, and other issues. You can access the Worker Owed Wages (WOW) website to search the federal database to check if you are among the more than 14,000 workers in Florida who are owed unpaid wages.
Why are So Many Funds Unclaimed?
The funds collected to remedy wage and hour violations in Florida can be left unclaimed for a wide range of different reasons. A key issue is that many funds from wage law violations remain unclaimed due to the transient nature of the workforce. Many people frequently change jobs—sometimes making them hard to track down. Beyond that, a worker may move and change addresses, leading to outdated contact information.
Another major problem is that many of the companies cited for wage and hour violations have poor record-keeping practices. Incomplete or inaccurate employee records make it difficult to identify and contact former employees who are entitled to these compensation. It is a best practice to check the federal database on your own to see if you are owed money—especially if you know you worked for a company with questionable or outright illegal wage and hour practices.
Wage and Hour Violations Remain a Serious Problem
Unfortunately, wage and hour violations are a big issue that affects many workers. Far too many companies fail to follow state and federal rules about paying their employees properly. They might not pay enough, ignore overtime pay, or break other important work laws. It is unfair to workers who depend on their earnings to live. Enforcement action may be taken against employers that violate wage and hour laws. Businesses and organizations that violate the law must be held to account.
Get Help From a Wage and Hour Attorney in Florida
Wage and hour cases are complicated. It is normal to have a lot of questions about the law. If you have any questions about seeking financial relief for unpaid wages or underpaid wages, please do not hesitate to contact a Florida wage and hour lawyer for help.
