Wage and Hour Lawyer Auburn Hills, MI

When your paycheck doesn’t reflect the hours you’ve worked or the compensation you’ve earned, it can spell chaos for you and your family. If this has recently happened to you, you need strong legal representation to recover what you’re owed. At Fagan McManus, P.C., our attorneys fight for employees facing wage and hour violations throughout Auburn Hills and the surrounding areas. Contact us today at 248-542-6300 or fill out our online form to learn more about your rights and how we can protect them.

Understanding Wage And Hour Violations

Wage theft affects workers across all industries in Michigan. From unpaid overtime to minimum wage violations, these issues rob hardworking employees of their rightfully earned compensation. These violations can take the form of:

Unpaid overtime: Employers must pay non-exempt employees one-and-a-half times their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 per week.
Minimum wage violations: Michigan’s minimum wage is $12.48 per hour as of February 2025.
Misclassification: Employers wrongly label employees as “exempt” or “independent contractors” to avoid paying overtime or benefits.
Off-the-clock work: Employers may not legally force employees to work before clocking in, after clocking out, or during breaks.
Improper deductions: This constitutes taking unauthorized amounts from employee paychecks.
Tip violations: It is illegal for employers to keep tips or force improper tip-sharing arrangements.

Each year, Michigan’s Wage and Hour Division receives over 5,000 claims and collects more than $2 million in wages and benefits owed to Michigan workers. These numbers show how widespread the problem is, as well as how many workers successfully fight back.

Laws Protecting Auburn Hills Workers

Several laws protect your right to fair compensation:

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): The primary federal law establishing minimum wage, overtime pay, and recordkeeping requirements
Michigan Workforce Opportunity Wage Act: Sets Michigan’s minimum wage and overtime requirements
Payment of Wages and Fringe Benefits Act: Governs when and how employers must pay wages and benefits to Michigan workers

These laws create powerful tools for recovering unpaid wages, but employers often count on workers not knowing their rights or being afraid to assert them. Our attorneys know precisely how to use these laws to hold employers accountable.

Common Industries With Wage Violations

While wage theft can happen in any workplace, certain industries show higher rates of violations:

Healthcare: Nurses and medical assistants often work through breaks or beyond their shifts without proper compensation.
Restaurants and hospitality: Servers, bartenders, and hotel staff face tip violations and unpaid overtime.
Delivery services: Drivers frequently lose income due to inaccurate pay calculations.
Call centers: Representatives are often unpaid for pre-shift and post-shift duties.
Construction: Workers often deal with the misclassification of their labor, as well as improper pay rates.

When you work in these high-risk industries, it is essential to keep a close eye on your pay. Even minor discrepancies can add up to thousands of dollars in lost wages over time.

Warning Signs Your Employer May Be Violating Wage Laws

Pay attention to these red flags that might indicate wage violations:

Your hours worked don’t match your pay stub.
Your employer rounds down your hours or alters your time records.
You regularly work through meal breaks without compensation.
Your paycheck lacks detail about hours, rates, or deductions.
Your employer discourages discussing pay with coworkers.
You’re paid the same amount regardless of how many hours you work.
Your employer claims overtime rules don’t apply to your position without a clear explanation.

If you notice any of these warning signs, documenting the issues and consulting an employment attorney can help you determine if violations are occurring.

Your Options For Recovering Unpaid Wages

When facing wage theft in Auburn Hills, you have several options:

Direct communication: Sometimes, addressing the issue directly with your employer can resolve simple mistakes.
Administrative complaints: You can file a complaint with Michigan’s Wage and Hour Program or the S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.
Legal action: Filing a lawsuit in state or federal court may be necessary for more complex or severe violations

Each approach has advantages and limitations. Filing an administrative complaint costs nothing but may take time and offer limited remedies. A lawsuit can provide more comprehensive compensation but requires strong legal representation.

Keep in mind that if you file a lawsuit first, you generally cannot file an agency complaint afterward. However, if you file an administrative complaint first, you maintain the option to pursue legal action later.

Statute Of Limitations For Wage Claims

Michigan law sets the following time limits for filing wage claims:

Thirty days after the date wages were reduced in retaliation for filing a complaint
Six months for denied paid medical leave claims
Twelve months for non-payment of wages or fringe benefits
Three years for minimum wage or overtime violations

If you wait too late to file, you may permanently lose your right to recover unpaid wages. As such, it’s crucial to consult a Michigan wage dispute attorney as soon as you can.

Protection From Retaliation

Many employees hesitate to pursue wage claims because they fear retaliation. However, both state and federal laws strictly prohibit employers from taking adverse action against workers who assert their wage rights.

If your employer terminates, demotes, reduces your hours, or otherwise punishes you for pursuing unpaid wages, you may have additional claims for retaliation. However, there are strict deadlines for filing retaliation complaints, so you should contact a workers’ rights attorney as soon as possible.

Why Choose Fagan McManus For Your Wage Dispute

The quality of your legal representation can have a significant effect on the outcome of your Auburn Hills claim. At Fagan McManus, P.C., our attorneys have extensive experience handling wage and hour cases in Michigan. Our concentration on employment law means that we understand the nuances of wage regulations. Our attorneys know how to dig deep to uncover evidence of systemic wage violations, and we frequently achieve results against Fortune 500 companies and major corporations.

Above all, we understand the financial and emotional stress of wage theft, and we provide supportive guidance throughout the process.

Taking The First Step

If you believe your Auburn Hills employer has violated wage and hour laws, taking these immediate steps can strengthen your case:

Document everything: Keep detailed records of your hours worked, pay stubs, and any communication about wage issues.
Gather evidence: Save emails, text messages, or other communications that might support your claim.
Consult an attorney: Schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced employment lawyer who can evaluate your situation.

The battle-tested lawyers at Fagan McManus, P.C. won’t back down from challenging corporations that shortchange their employees. We know precisely what obstacles to expect when facing powerful employers, and we’ve overcome them time and again to secure justice for our clients.

Contact Us Today

When an employer fails to pay an employee what they deserve, it constitutes theft. Don’t let Auburn Hills employers illegally profit from denying you the wages you’ve earned. Whether you’re dealing with unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, or other compensation issues, our attorneys are ready to fight for what you deserve.

Call our office today at 248-542-6300 or email us for a consultation about your wage and hour concerns. At Fagan McManus, P.C., we’re tough, experienced, and skilled advocates for employee rights in Auburn Hills and throughout Michigan.