Colorado Unpaid Wages Attorney

Fighting Wage Theft on Your Behalf

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for some employers to attempt to cut business costs at their employees’ expense. This often involves failing to fully compensate employees for their work. If your employer has failed to pay you what you are owed, a Colorado unpaid wages attorney can help you recover what you deserve.

At Baker Law Group, PLLC, our Colorado wage and hour attorneys frequently encounter cases involving unpaid wages, salary, bonuses, overtime, and commission. Additionally, we address issues such as illegal paycheck deductions, misclassifying employees, and shortened work hours.

Colorado law mandates that employers pay their workers earned wages as per agreed terms, and in compliance with federal and state laws. Our Colorado unpaid wages lawyers are committed to providing robust legal support to employees and former employees who have suffered from employer wage theft. Contact Baker Law Group, PLLC today.

Concerns Regarding Unpaid Wages & Wage Theft in Colorado

Non-payment for All Work Hours in Colorado

As a non-exempt, hourly employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act, you are entitled to payment for all hours worked, including regular and overtime pay for hours exceeding 40 in a workweek or 12 in a workday. Should your employer fail to compensate you accordingly, it’s crucial to keep a written record of your hours and seek an explanation from your employer. This could be due to a simple oversight or clerical error. We suggest documenting these discussions and confirming any explanations in writing. If your employer refuses to pay the due wages, exploring legal avenues becomes necessary. A Colorado unpaid wages attorney can help you understand your options and take swift action.

Colorado Wage Act Law

The Colorado Wage Act stipulates that your employer must pay you at regular intervals, typically biweekly or semimonthly. Violations of this act can lead to civil or criminal consequences. You can lodge a complaint with the Colorado Department of Labor for any discrepancies in hours worked or unlawful paycheck deductions. Moreover, both federal and Colorado laws enforce overtime payment for employees. If you believe your employer has violated the Colorado Wage Act, speaking with a Colorado wage and hour attorney is an important first step.

Seeking Recovery with a Colorado Unpaid Wages Lawyer

You can initiate a claim for unpaid overtime with the United States Department of Labor or the Colorado Department of Labor, which investigates claims up to $7,500. Filing a small claims court action is another option. Alternatively, consulting with a Colorado unpaid wages attorney at Baker Law Group, PLLC can help you determine the best course of action for your claim. Remember, there are time limits for filing these claims, so prompt action is advised.

Employer Paycheck Deductions in Colorado

The Colorado Wage Act defines strict boundaries for permissible and impermissible deductions from an employee’s paycheck.

Permissible deductions include:

• Deductions mandated by law (e.g., tax withholdings, Social Security, Medicare, wage garnishments)
• Deductions agreed upon in writing (e.g., for loans, pay advances, goods, services, equipment)
• Deductions for theft by an employee, under certain conditions
• Deductions authorized by the employee for various purposes (e.g., insurance, savings plans, charities)
• Deductions for unreturned employer property or mishandled funds, subject to a 10-day post-termination audit period

Impermissible deductions include deductions for property damage or depreciation without a written agreement and deductions as fines based on employee behavior or actions.

Addressing Wage Theft with a Wage Theft Lawyer

Colorado Wage Act Law

The Colorado Wage Act staunchly opposes wage theft. Significantly amended in 2019, it states that any employer who willfully refuses to pay wages or compensation, or falsely denies the validity of a wage claim with intent to defraud the rightful recipient, commits theft under Colorado law. This legislative change introduced substantial criminal penalties for deliberate non-compliance by employers. If you have experienced wage theft, a Colorado wage theft lawyer can help you pursue both civil and criminal remedies against your employer.

Colorado Wage Theft Resolution

Victims of wage theft can initiate civil litigation against their employers, which is often a swift and effective method to reclaim unpaid wages. The Colorado wage theft lawyers at Baker Law Group, PLLC have extensive experience representing employees in their efforts to retrieve unpaid wages from current or past employers.

Securing Unpaid Sales Commissions in Colorado

Sales commissions form a vital part of many Colorado sales professionals’ remuneration. These commissions are usually governed by agreements, either written or verbal, that detail the conditions under which they are earned. However, issues arise when these plans are ambiguously drafted or grant excessive interpretive power to the employer, leading to disputes over sales commissions.

Colorado Wage Act Law on Sales Commissions

The Colorado Wage Act mandates that employers must honor the agreements made with employees regarding sales commissions. Examining these agreements is the first step in resolving disputes over owed commissions. Even if a commission plan suggests an employer has complete discretion, their decisions must still adhere to standards of reasonableness.

Reclaiming Unpaid Sales Commissions

If there are concerns regarding the interpretation or payment of sales commissions, consulting a Colorado wage and hour attorney is advisable. Baker Law Group’s team in Colorado, proficient in reviewing sales commission plans, has assisted numerous sales representatives and employees in claiming their unpaid commissions.

Recuperating Unpaid Bonuses from Employers

Bonuses, like sales commissions, are often integral to an employee’s annual compensation and are typically governed by specific plans. The Colorado Wage Act obligates employers to pay these bonuses as per the agreed terms. Despite any language in the plans granting discretion to employers, their decisions in interpreting these plans and determining bonus eligibility must be reasonable.

Recovering Unpaid Bonuses in Colorado

If you believe your employer has defaulted on paying an agreed bonus, seeking legal counsel is a crucial step. The Colorado unpaid wages lawyers at Baker Law Group, PLLC have a wealth of experience interpreting bonus plans and advocating for employees in bonus-related litigation.

Employer Obligations Despite Financial Hardship

Financial struggles do not exempt an employer from their wage obligations. The Wage Act penalizes employers who repeatedly issue unpaid checks due to insufficient funds. Furthermore, the recent expansion of the definition of “employer” under the Act implies that claims can also be directed at an employer’s agents, like company owners, in instances of non-payment due to financial distress.

Colorado Employee Rights Against Wage Waiver Demands

Colorado law invalidates any agreement that requires employees to waive their right to earned wages. While some exceptions exist, like negotiated settlements through legal counsel or court-approved agreements, the general rule remains firm. This area of law is still evolving and awaits further clarification by Colorado courts.

Talk to a Colorado Unpaid Wages Attorney

If you’re facing challenges with unpaid wages, commissions, or bonuses in Colorado, don’t navigate these complex legal waters alone. Contact Baker Law Group, PLLC today to speak with a Colorado unpaid wages attorney who will fight for the compensation you’ve earned. Our experienced legal team is committed to protecting your rights and securing the wages you deserve. Schedule your consultation now.