Unpaid Wages & Overtime Violations

Don’t Let Your Hard Work Go Unpaid

You show up. You work hard. You stay late, cover extra shifts, and keep things running because that’s who you are. But then your paycheck comes, and it’s missing hours. Or your boss shrugs off your overtime like it doesn’t matter. That’s wage theft. And it happens way more than people think. If you’re here, chances are you’re looking for answers. Maybe even justice. Many people turn to unpaid wage attorneys every year to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we help workers reclaim what they’re owed. And if you’ve worked in places like New York, Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont, the basics are pretty similar. These states follow federal overtime laws but have their own timelines for filing claims, rules about breaks, and ways of calculating damages. If you’ve bounced between states for work, it’s especially important to know what your rights are in each one.

When Pay Disappears: The Hidden Cost of Wage Theft

Wage theft is sneaky. It doesn’t always come with red flags. One week it’s a few missing hours, the next it’s unpaid overtime that no one wants to talk about. And before you know it, you’ve worked months, maybe years, without getting paid what you’re owed.

Employers can be held liable under wage laws, even when managers or payroll software make the mistake. The law doesn’t let companies off the hook just because “someone else messed up.”

This kind of theft isn’t rare. It happens in restaurants, warehouses, retail stores, and offices all over the country. No one is immune.

And the damage is not just financial. Wage theft creates stress that bleeds into your life. Missed rent. Groceries skipped. Bills stacking up. It’s exhausting. And it chips away at your peace of mind.

Quiet Crimes on Loud Streets: How Wage Theft Hides in Plain Sight

You might not even realize it’s happening. Or maybe you’ve noticed, but you’re scared to say something. That’s understandable. But recognizing the signs is the first step.

You might be told to clock out and then keep working. Or maybe you’re expected to clean up, prep, or sit through meetings without pay. You could be putting in 45 hours a week and still earning just your base rate. Some workers even get less than minimum wage, despite doing the same job as everyone else. These aren’t small mistakes. They’re wage and hour violations that keep happening, often hidden in confusing schedules or messy payroll systems.

Sometimes, it’s flat-out denial. Other times, it’s buried in policy language no one can explain. Either way, it’s theft.

Wondering If You're Being Cheated? Here's What to Watch For

Trust your instincts. If your paycheck never seems to reflect the hours you’ve worked, it’s worth digging deeper. A few small inconsistencies may not seem like a big deal at first, but they can signal a larger pattern. When things don’t add up, it’s often because they’re not supposed to:

• No overtime pay after 40 hours.
• Being told to “stay late” off the clock.
• Paychecks that feel short, without a clear reason.
• Always getting paid the same, no matter how much you work.
• No pay for breaks or time setting up.

These signs often point to much more than just sloppy accounting. They could be part of a larger pattern of unpaid labor that’s costing you real money and real peace of mind. So don’t shrug it off. Pay attention to those gut feelings as they’re usually right.

Overtime Is Yours: What the Law Says (Even if Your Boss Doesn’t)

Let’s cut through the confusion. New York State law clearly says that if you work more than 40 hours in a week, you’re owed time-and-a-half for every extra hour. That means 1.5 times your regular hourly rate. Employers don’t get to pick and choose whether they follow that rule. If they’re skipping it, they’re breaking the law.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Hourly workers? Almost always covered.
• Salaried workers? If your pay’s below a certain level, you may still qualify.
• Commissions and bonuses? Those often count when calculating your rate.

Still not getting overtime? Some employers misunderstand the law while others choose to ignore it, assuming workers either won’t notice or won’t fight back.

The Worst Offenders: Where Overtime Abuse Hits Hardest

Certain industries are more likely to cut corners. If you’ve ever worked in food service, retail, construction, or healthcare support, chances are you’ve seen it. Restaurant workers get slammed with long shifts, retail employees stay past closing without extra pay, and aides in healthcare often skip legally required breaks just to keep up. Industries most frequently involved in wage violations are the ones where the work never stops and where labor laws are routinely ignored.

These are the jobs where long shifts and skipped breaks are “just part of the job.” But that doesn’t mean it’s legal.

Wage Theft Leaves Deep Scars

Wage theft hits hard. It can leave you broke and even drained. One missing hour turns into missed rent. Unpaid overtime becomes the stress that keeps you up at night. The pressure piles on financially, physically, and emotionally. It wears you down over time, making even basic needs feel like luxuries.

Health takes a hit. Relationships strain. And peace of mind? That’s gone, too.

This isn’t just about one person. It’s bigger than that. When workers push back, real change happens. We've seen what accountability looks like. The good news is you’ve got options. And those options are your first steps toward compensation, justice, and taking back control.

Clock’s Ticking: Don’t Wait to Demand What You’re Owed

You’ve got time to file a claim, but not forever. In New York, you usually have up to six years, but the longer you wait, the harder it is to gather what you need.

Start with the basics. Save your timecards, your work schedules, your pay stubs. Write down what you remember including how many hours you worked, what your boss told you, and when things didn’t add up. These small actions can help build a clearer picture.

Penalties and financial consequences for wage theft grow when employers get away with it. The sooner you act, the more you stand to recover.

Talk to Someone Who Gets It: Your Paycheck. Your Rights. Your Move.

If you’re sick of feeling taken advantage of, now’s the time to speak up. You’ve worked too hard to let it slide. Connect with Horn Wright, LLP, for a confidential, no-pressure consultation. Learn what your options are with expert unpaid wage attorneys. Get the truth. And take that first step toward getting what you’ve earned.