Most jobs turn out to be a good experience. The employer treats workers well and does everything by the book. With any luck, you might even earn solid pay that helps you move beyond living paycheck to paycheck.
But sometimes, employers don’t follow labor laws. And when that happens, it can hurt you as an employee.
Following are some of the illegal things that an employer might try to do.
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Federal law prohibits employers from asking certain questions when talking to workers.
For example, there are restrictions around questions about your citizenship status, marital status, and religious beliefs.
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The federal minimum wage is a mere $7.25 per hour. Generally, you are entitled to at least that much pay, although there are exceptions to the rule.
Many states have their own minimum wage requirements that are higher than the federal standard. In most cases, it’s illegal for any employer to pay their employees less than the hourly minimum wage in any particular state.
Employers can pay you in cash as long as they take out the required deductions and report the earnings to the government. However, your boss is prohibited from paying you in cash in an attempt to dodge reporting your earnings for tax purposes.
Don’t join forces with your employer and try to cheat the government. If you are caught...
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