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What is the Difference Between the Wage Act and the Minimum Wage Laws?

Both the Wage Act and Massachusetts minimum wage laws are designed to protect employees.  The main difference is that the Wage Act governs when wages must be paid.  The minimum wage laws, in contrast, control the baseline minimum amount employees must be paid.

If you are being paid regularly, but your hourly rate is less than minimum wage ($14.25 per hour in 2022, and $15.00 per hour beginning in 2023), you can seek relief under the minimum wage laws for the difference between what you are paid and the minimum amount.  The same is true if you are a commission only employee and have weeks or months when you receive no pay at all.

If your rate of pay is higher than the minimum wage but your employer is late paying you, does not pay you at all, or makes unlawful deductions to your paycheck, you can seek relief under the Wage Act.

Not being paid enough and not being paid on time are two different kinds of claims- the first arising under the minimum wage laws and the second under the Wage Act.  Both statutes, however, provide similar remedies- multiple damages and payment of costs and attorneys' fees.


Learn more here about the Massachusetts Wage and Hour Laws.

Need Help With Unpaid Wages?

Call (781) 784-2322
OR
Schedule a Free Information Call
not paid on time massachusetts employment lawyer

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  • Home
  • Employment Law
    • Guide To Employment Law Content
    • Advice for Employers
    • Employment Contracts in Massachusetts
    • Discrimination in the Workplace
    • Employment Termination >
      • Massachusetts Paid Family Leave
      • Severance Pay
      • Unemployment in Massachusetts
      • Should I Accept a Severance?
    • Sexual Harassment at Work >
      • Sexual Harassment in a Small Business
      • Sexual Harassment and Non Disclosure Agreements
      • Sexual Harassment and Remote Work
    • Wage and Hour Laws >
      • Overtime Law >
        • Overtime Exemptions
        • Employee Travel Time
        • Federal or State Overtime Law
      • Massachusetts Wage Act >
        • Payment of Commissions
        • Wage Deductions
        • Late Payment of Wages
        • Paid Time Off
    • Independent Contractor Law >
      • Independent Contractor Test
      • Working As Independent Contractor
      • Hiring Independent Contractors in Massachusetts
      • Is My Independent Contractor Status Legal?
    • Non Compete Agreements >
      • Are non competes enforceable
      • Massachusetts Non Compete Act
      • Pre 2018 Massachusetts Non Competes
      • Can I Avoid My Non Compete?
    • Do I Have a Case?
  • Estate Planning
    • Guide To Estate Planning Content
    • Legacy Protection
    • Why You Need an Estate Plan
    • Why You Don't Have an Estate Plan
    • Estate Planning Documents >
      • Children with Special Needs
    • Planning for Assisted Living
    • Probate Process
  • Business Law
    • Guide To Business Law Content
    • Small Business Law
    • Business Contract Basics
    • Civil Suit Defense
    • Legal Issues for Start Ups
    • Trademark Basics
    • How to Incorporate
    • Sale of Business
  • About
    • Reviews
    • Slnlaw Offices
    • slnlaw core values
    • Publications and Interviews
    • New Client Intake and Consultation
    • Contact
  • Attorneys
    • Emily Smith-Lee >
      • 2018 Lawyer of the Year
    • Jenna Ordway
    • Rebecca Rogers
    • Sharleen Tinnin
    • Elijah Bresley
  • Legal FAQs
    • Estate Planning FAQs
    • Probate FAQs
    • Small Business FAQs
    • Wage Act FAQs
    • Commission Pay FAQs
    • Overtime FAQs
    • Independent Contractor FAQs
    • Non Compete FAQs
    • Employment Discrimination FAQs
    • Employment Termination FAQs
    • Massachusettts Unemployment FAQs
    • Severance Package FAQs
    • Medical Leave FAQs
    • Sexual Harassment FAQs
    • Employer FAQs
    • Civil Lawsuit FAQs
  • Blog