Legal Options if Your Employer Violates Wage and Hour Laws

Not being paid for the hours that you have put in at your job can feel like a punch in the gut. Under Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay a minimum hourly wage and overtime rate for non-exempt employees who work over 40 hours in a given week. Anything below these standards is a violation of the law.

Suppose you believe that your employer violates federal or state wage and hour laws. In that case, the employment law attorneys at Mette Law in Harrisburg, PA, are here to discuss potential legal remedies.

Contact Your Employer

If you have reason to believe that you have not been compensated fairly, you should first bring your concerns to your employer. By doing this, you allow them to resolve the error before involving federal or state agencies. Our legal team suggests that you address your concerns in writing, as well as provide evidence to support your claim.

File a Wage Payment and Collection Complaint

If you are unable to resolve your concerns with your employer, you should consider filing a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. If you choose to file a complaint online, it is recommended that you have your answers ready ahead of time, as the form times out after 20 minutes of inactivity. You must provide the specific dollar amount owed to you.

Common violations under the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act include the following:

• Being paid less than $7.25 per hour (Pennsylvania minimum wage as of 2025)
• Tipped workers are making less than $2.83 per hour
• Employers are taking tip credits from tipped workers who make less than $135 in tips per month
• If employees are not being compensated at an overtime rate (1.5 times their regular rate) when working more than 40 hours per week
• Employers who do not retain accurate records of employee earnings
• If employers who deduct credit card fees and other payment processing fees from an employee’s tips

File a Complaint with the Department of Labor

If your employer violated federal law, then you should file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Complaints should be filed with the DOL if your employer failed to pay you minimum wage, overtime pay, or if you are owed more than $5,000 in wages. If your claim is approved, then the appropriate department will submit a request to your employer to pay you back wages.

Reach Out to a Harrisburg Employment Law Attorney Today

An employment law attorney will handle an employment dispute on your behalf. This will include filing the appropriate paperwork with the court, tracking deadlines, and informing you of your rights. If your employer claims that you worked fewer hours than you attest to, then our Harrisburg employment law attorneys can assist you in gathering the necessary information to prove otherwise. Your attorney will speak with opposing counsel to negotiate the terms of your compensation.

Given the many issues that could be involved, your case should be handled by a professional. To schedule your confidential consultation, contact Mette Law online or call (717) 232-5000.