Massachusetts Wage Act
Under the Massachusetts Wage Act, if your employer fails to pay your wages, fails to pay you overtime as an hourly employee, or misclassifies you as an independent contractor, you are entitled to damages totalling three times the amount owed to you, plus your attorney fees and costs of enforcement. Enforcing a breach of the Wage Act can be tricky – employees must file wage claims with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and also file a complaint in court in order for the award of triple damages to attach to a claim. An experienced unpaid wages lawyer can assist you through the process and ensure that you are able to preserve your claims and damages.
As an employer, it is vitally important to have a wage and hour attorney review your wage payment process to ensure that it is compliant with state and federal law.
Can I sue my employer for not paying me?
The short answer is yes. And it is important to take action if you believe that your employer is paying you improperly or withholding wages from you. The FLSA and Massachusetts Wage Act are the enforcement mechanisms to ensure that payment is properly made. Claims for unpaid wages will ensure that damages are paid, including treble damages, attorney fees and costs.
File a workplace complaint
If you think that an employer did not follow workplace laws, you may file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).
If you work in Massachusetts and believe your employer is withholding wages from you, you can start by filing an unpaid wages claim with the Attorney General’s Office here. However, to secure your right to triple damages, your claim must also be filed in court by an attorney. One of our experienced attorneys can support you through this process and, if necessary, escalate your claim to a lawsuit.
We Get It.
Our lawyers understand the unfairness and frustration of being underpaid or unpaid for hard work. Since 2011, Greene & Hafer has dedicated its entire practice to employment law. Our attorneys are experienced, successful and get quick results for clients who are owed unpaid wages, commissions, and benefits.
Federal law and Massachusetts law both provide strong protections to employees to ensure they are properly and fairly paid earned wages. Under Massachusetts Wage Laws, employees are entitled to treble damages and attorney’s fees for successful claims. While based in Boston, Greene & Hafer serves clients all over Massachusetts including Woburn, Dedham, Framingham, Lowell, Lynn, Newton, Quincy, Salem, Worcester, and all areas in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Plymouth Counties.