Not paid what you're owed at work?

Missing overtime, tips, final paychecks or minimum wage: how to protect your claim.

1. Write down your hours now. Keep your own log of start and end times and breaks. Your notes count as evidence.
2. Save pay stubs, schedules and messages. Take photos of schedules and save texts about hours or pay. Don't take company documents you aren't allowed to have.
3. Know the basic rules. Most hourly workers must get 1.5 times their pay for hours over 40 in a week. Many states pay more or require daily overtime. Official source
4. Ask about it in writing. A short, polite email asking about missing pay creates a record. Retaliating against you for asking is illegal.
5. File with the labor department if you want. The U.S. Department of Labor and your state labor department take wage complaints for free. Official source
6. Mind the deadline. Federal wage claims usually must be filed within 2 years (3 if willful). Some state laws give more time.
7. Check if coworkers are affected. If the same thing happened to others, a Pool lets you stand together against the same employer.