Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees have the right to recover unpaid wages. However, many workers miss their legal opportunities due to lack of knowledge. Here are key steps recommended by labor attorneys.
Legal Recovery Process
1. Document Evidence (Within 30 Days)
Save pay stubs, time records, work emails/texts
Photograph workplace timekeeping systems
Document exact unpaid amounts
2. Formal Written Demand (Required Step)
Dates and calculation method
Citing state labor code sections
Clear payment deadline (recommend 15 business days)
3. File with Labor Department
Federal: Contact DOL Wage & Hour Division
State: e.g., California DLSE
Processing time: Typically 60-90 days
Legal Assistance Resources
1. Government Programs
Federal Department of Labor free complaint hotline: 1-866-487-9243
Online reporting system on the official website of each state labor bureau
DOL free consultation: providing services in 200+ languages
2. Attorney Services
National Labor Lawyers Association (NELA) member query
State Bar Association recommendation system (case type must be specified)
AI-Assisted Content Disclaimer
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by a human for accuracy and clarity.