(412) 212-6465

Pittsburgh Wage and Hour Attorney

If you believe your employer has not paid you everything you have earned, you may have legal options. Kennedy Law represents employees across Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania with wage and hour issues. Attorney Nicholas Kennedy handles these claims personally, giving every client the direct attention their case deserves.

If you have questions about unpaid wages, contact or call Kennedy Law at (412) 212-6465.

Call today: (412) 212-6465

What Are Wage and Hour Claims?

Wage and hour claims arise when an employer fails to pay an employee properly under federal or state law. This can happen in ways that are obvious, like a paycheck that simply does not reflect the hours you worked, or in ways that are harder to see, like being told you are “salaried” when the law may still entitle you to overtime, or being classified as an independent contractor when your day-to-day work looks a lot like that of a regular employee.

Many workers who have experienced wage violations do not come forward because they are not sure if what happened to them was actually illegal. Some assume their employer made a mistake. Others worry about losing their job if they speak up.

Here is what matters: if your employer required you to work hours they did not pay you for, failed to pay overtime you were legally entitled to, paid you below minimum wage, or made unlawful deductions from your paycheck, Pennsylvania and federal law may give you the right to recover what you are owed, and in many cases, more.

Common terms you may encounter:

  • FLSA — The Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal law that establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, and other protections for most employees.
  • PMWA – The Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act, which establishes minimum wage and other protections for most employees.
  • WPCL — The Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law, which governs when and how employers must pay wages and what remedies employees have when they do not.
  • Misclassification — When an employer labels a worker as an independent contractor or as an exempt salaried employee to avoid paying overtime or other benefits the law requires.

If any of this sounds familiar, you may have legal options. Call (412) 212-6465 to talk about your experience.

How Federal and Pennsylvania Laws Apply to Your Wage Claim

Employees in Pittsburgh and throughout Western Pennsylvania are protected by both federal and state law. Understanding which laws apply, and how they interact, is one of the most important parts of evaluating a wage and hour claim.

Federal Law: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
The FLSA sets a federal minimum wage and requires employers to pay non-exempt employees overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 per week. Employees may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor or pursue a private lawsuit.

Pennsylvania Law: The Minimum Wage Act and the WPCL
Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage Act establishes the state minimum wage floor and mirrors many FLSA overtime protections. The Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law governs the timing of wage payments, dictates what must be included in a final paycheck, and provides employees with the ability to recover unpaid wages plus liquidated damages and attorneys’ fees when employers willfully fail to pay.

The window to file a wage claim is limited, and waiting too long can eliminate your right to recover, which is why contacting an attorney as early as possible matters.

Pittsburgh Wage and Hour Attorney

Types of Wage and Hour Cases Kennedy Law Handles

Kennedy Law represents employees across Western Pennsylvania in a wide range of wage and hour matters, including:

  • Unpaid overtime — Being denied time-and-a-half pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek
  • Off-the-clock work — Being required to work before clocking in, after clocking out, or during unpaid meal breaks that were not actually breaks
  • Minimum wage violations — Being paid less than the applicable minimum wage
  • Independent contractor misclassification — Being labeled a “1099 contractor” when your work, schedule, and relationship with the company indicate you are actually an employee under the law
  • Exempt employee misclassification — Being designated as a salaried exempt employee when your actual job duties do not qualify for an exemption under the FLSA or Pennsylvania law
  • Improper deductions — Having amounts deducted from your paycheck in violation of the WPCL
  • Final paycheck violations — Not receiving your full final paycheck, including accrued vacation or PTO owed under your employer’s own written policy
  • Tip theft — Having tips withheld, pooled improperly, or taken by management in violation of federal or state law

Not sure which category your situation falls into? Call Kennedy Law at (412) 212-6465.

Why Choose Kennedy Law for Your Wage Claim?

Kennedy Law focuses on employee-side representation. Mr. Kennedy handles every case personally from start to finish, and the firm maintains a select caseload so each client receives focused, zealous representation.

Learn more about Mr. Kennedy’s background and qualifications on his bio page.

What Our Clients Say

“Nicholas Kennedy is an outstanding employment law attorney and someone I respect greatly. I am an attorney in the Pittsburgh legal community and have known Nick Kennedy professionally for years.” - B.G.
“Mr. Kennedy exceeded all my expectations when representing me for an employment case. He was meticulous in his ability to detail the facts of my case and left me feeling fully supported. You couldn’t ask for a better attorney who knows how to advocate in a professional manner, leading to positive results.” - C.C
“I highly recommend Attorney Nick Kennedy at Kennedy Law for any workplace legal matter. From the moment I contacted his firm, I felt that my situation was handled with the utmost professionalism and care.” - Ms.J

Frequently Asked Questions About Wage and Hour Claims in Pennsylvania

If your employer failed to pay you for all hours worked, denied overtime wages that you believe you were owed, paid you below minimum wage, or made deductions from your pay that did not seem right, you may have a claim. The best way to know for certain is to speak with an employment attorney. Call Kennedy Law today at (412) 212-6465 today to talk about your experience.

The deadline depends on which law applies. Because these deadlines can pass quickly, it is important not to wait to contact an employment attorney.

Firing or retaliating against an employee for asserting wage and hour rights is illegal under the FLSA. If you experience retaliation after filing a complaint or consulting an attorney, that may give rise to a separate retaliation claim. You can read more about retaliation protections on our retaliation page.

Documentation is helpful, but the absence of records does not necessarily prevent you from pursuing a claim. In fact, under the FLSA, the burden may shift to the employer to disprove your account of hours worked if they failed to keep proper records. An attorney can help you understand what evidence exists and how to build your case.

A label in a contract does not determine your legal status. Courts and agencies look at the actual nature of the working relationship, how much control the employer exercises, whether the work is integral to the business, and other factors. Many workers who signed contractor agreements are later found to be employees under the law and may be entitled to back wages and overtime.

Protect Your Right to Be Paid What You Earned

Wage violations are more common than most people realize. If you are working in Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania and believe your employer has not paid you what you are owed, Kennedy Law is here to help.

Call Kennedy Law at (412) 212-6465 or contact us here to get started.

For related information, visit our pages on Wrongful Termination and Retaliation, two issues that often arise alongside wage disputes.