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Wage Act Violation: Withheld Wages

Wage Act Violation Withheld Wages
Matthew worked as an engineer/quality manager  for a Massachusetts company that developed and manufactured armor for military, civilian, and law enforcement applications.  After approximately two years of employment, the company started having difficulty meeting its financial obligations, and decided to prioritize paying vendors over paying employees.

Matthew continued to work for another two months despite not being paid.  He also worked overtime hours on a new product the company was developing, with the hope and expectation that the new product launch would put the company in a better financial position such that he could actually be paid for his work.

Instead, Matthew's employment was terminated by the company.  At that time, he was owed over $20,000 in wages.  The company, moreover, had tried to cover its tracks by actually issuing payroll checks that were reflected in its books, but kept in a drawer and never given to employees, including Matthew.

Wage Act Solution

We filed a claim under the Massachusetts Wage Act, and engaged in written discovery.  Documents produced by the company completely supported Matthew's claim that he had not been paid, that he had worked the hours he claimed, and that the company had kept all of his paychecks without distributing them to him.

We were able to reach a settlement that adequately compensated Matthew for the wages and vacation time he was owed.

Postscript

If you are ever asked to work without pay, remember that the Massachusetts Wage Act and minimum wage laws are there for your protection.  An experienced employment attorney can help you understand your rights and your options in that situation.

Need Help With a Claim for Unpaid Wages?

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We have years of experience helping people with wage and hour issues, and we would be happy to help. You can use the button below to schedule a call back from a member of our team, or give us a call at  781-784-2322.
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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