Claim Types

Common Unpaid Overtime & Wage Claim Types

Wage violations take many forms. Browse the categories below to see which sounds closest to your situation — or just request a free case review and let an attorney sort it out.

⏱️

Off-the-Clock Work

Required to work before clocking in, after clocking out, or through unpaid breaks — without being paid for that time.

Learn more →
🧾

Misclassification as Exempt

Paid a salary and labeled "exempt," but actual job duties don't meet the legal test for any overtime exemption.

Learn more →
📄

Independent Contractor Misclassification

Labeled a "1099 contractor" but economically dependent on one company and controlled like an employee.

Learn more →
🍽️

Tipped Employee / Minimum Wage Violations

Employer takes a "tip credit" but doesn't make up the difference, misuses tip pooling, or assigns too much non-tipped work at the lower wage.

Learn more →
💰

Unpaid Commissions & Bonuses Excluded From Overtime

Overtime calculated only on base hourly pay, leaving out commissions or non-discretionary bonuses that legally must count toward the "regular rate."

Learn more →

Meal & Rest Break Violations

In states that require paid rest breaks or specific meal-break conditions, breaks are denied, shortened, interrupted, or not paid a required premium when missed.

Learn more →
🚫

Retaliation for Wage Complaints

Employer fires, demotes, cuts hours, or otherwise punishes an employee for raising concerns about unpaid wages or overtime.

Learn more →
🗓️

Comp Time Instead of Overtime Pay

A private-sector employer gives paid time off ("comp time") instead of cash overtime pay — generally not permitted for private employers.

Learn more →

Not Sure Which Applies? Get a Free Case Review

Case Info Assistant
Hi! I can help explain how overtime and wage claims generally work and point you to the right claim type. I'm not an attorney and can't give legal advice — for a real case review, use the free case review form. What's going on at work?
Not legal advice. Not an attorney. No attorney-client relationship is formed by this chat.