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Wage theft facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Wage theft happens when employers unfairly keep money that belongs to their workers. This means they might not pay workers all the wages they earned or deny them benefits they should get. It's a big problem that affects many people.

For example, wage theft can include:

  • Not paying workers for overtime hours they worked.
  • Paying less than the minimum wage (the lowest amount an employer can legally pay).
  • Taking out money from a worker's pay illegally.
  • Making workers do tasks when they are "off the clock" (not being paid).
  • Not paying workers at all for their work.

What Is Wage Theft?

Wage theft is when employers do not pay their employees all the money they are owed. This can include regular pay, overtime pay, or other benefits. It is against the law in many places. This problem can make it hard for workers to support themselves and their families.

Why Is Wage Theft a Problem?

Wage theft is a serious issue because it takes money away from people who have earned it. This can affect how much money families have for food, housing, and other important things. Studies have shown that wage theft costs workers billions of dollars each year. This means a lot of money that should go to workers ends up staying with employers unfairly.

Laws That Protect Workers

In the United States, a law called the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was created in 1938. This law helps protect workers' rights to be paid fairly. It sets rules for minimum wage, overtime pay, and how employers should keep records of hours worked. These rules are meant to stop wage theft from happening.

Fighting Wage Theft

Many people and groups are working to stop wage theft. In February 2010, Miami-Dade County, Florida became the first place in America to make wage theft officially against the law at a local level. This was an important step to help protect workers in that area. More and more places are now looking for ways to prevent wage theft and make sure workers get paid what they deserve.

See also

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