Over the last few years, federal investigators have intensified their efforts to investigate and enforce wage and hour violations across the country. These investigations have yielded numerous judgments and recovery of millions in back wages and other compensation for employees who were robbed of their rightful wages.
The healthcare industry has faced increased attention from wage and hour officials due to widespread violations—including employee misclassification and unpaid overtime.
An experienced unpaid overtime attorney can assist health care workers in resolving wage disputes, negotiating settlements, and filing lawsuits against employers who violate labor laws.
Federal Investigators Increase Scrutiny of the Home and Health Care Industry
Federal investigators in the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) continue to take forceful action against violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) across a range of industries. The FLSA is a federal law that sets standards for issues such as minimum wage requirements, overtime pay, and recordkeeping.
The healthcare industry has received particular attention from WHD investigators given the significant number of violations across sectors including:
- Home care
- Home health
- Residential care
- Nursing care
Some of the most common violations by healthcare employers include:
- Failing to pay overtime
- Requiring off the clock work – failing to pay for all hours worked
- Failing to keep accurate records of hours worked
- Misclassifying employees as independent contractors to reduce or avoid overtime obligations
In 2024, the WHD investigated more than 2,300 cases within the healthcare industry, recovering nearly $38 million in back wages for about 30,000 workers nationwide.
Legal Options for Victims of Wage Theft
If you work in the healthcare industry and believe you could be the victim of wage theft, an attorney with in-depth knowledge of employment regulations can help.
A lawyer can review your pay stubs and work schedule to identify any possible violations and use strong negotiation and litigation strategies to recover the wages you are owed.
FLSA violations in the health care industry are common. Frequent examples include:
- Failing to pay overtime or otherwise not compensating employees properly for working more than 40 hours per week
- Failing to keep accurate records of all hours worked or improperly calculating work hours
- Misclassifying employees as exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements
- Improperly rounding employee time entries
- Failing to compensate for on-call time
- Failing to compensate for travel from one work location to another during the workday
If you are a health care worker and suspect that you are not being fairly compensated, you may consider filing a wage and hour claim against your employer. An attorney can help you navigate these challenges while safeguarding your interests during the legal process.
Contact an Attorney if You Are a Health Care Worker Facing Unfair Pay Practices
If you work in home health or another sector of the healthcare field and believe that you are not receiving full wages, an attorney can provide tireless representation to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our dedicated team can collect documentation, such as payroll records, to determine the wages you are owed and accurately calculate your potential financial recovery. Wage theft victims can also recover double damages in a lawsuit, including back wages, liquidated damages, and attorneys’ fees.
We work on a contingency fee basis, allowing our clients to secure the representation they deserve without any upfront financial commitment. Contact us today by using our online chat or submitting a form to request your free and confidential review.
