Wage Laws: Minimum Wage, Tips, Deductions, and More

The federal Fair Labor Standards Act and similar state laws set the legal rules for wages: how much you are entitled to be paid (and by when), what your employer can deduct from your paycheck, what happens if your wages are garnished, and more.  

What kinds of workers are entitled to the minimum wage, and who is ineligible?

If you earn tips, you should know what your employer can and can't do with them.

If you receive tips as part of your compensation, state laws determine many of your legal rights. Although federal law sets some minimum standards, states are allowed to be more protective.

Learn some common ways employers violate federal and state wage laws -- and what to do if you haven't been paid the wages you've earned.

Federal law protects employees from being fired because their wages are garnished for any one debt, even if more than one proceeding is brought to collect that debt. However, employees are no longer protected if they are subject to garnishment for two or more debts. Some states give employees more

Question: Is it legal for my employer to deduct from my paycheck for overpayment in the past?

You may be entitled to unpaid wages, even if your employer calls you an independent contractor.

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