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

Your Right to the Minimum Wage

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

Tips, Tip Pooling, and Tip Credits: What Service Employees Need to Know

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

Tipping Laws by State

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.

Paycheck Deductions for Uniforms, Cash Shortages, Tools, and More

Some employers deduct the cost of uniforms and other supplies necessary for the job from employees' paychecks. And some deduct costs to cover shortages in an employee's cash register or items an employee breaks or damages on the job. Not all of these paycheck deductions are legal. Some states don't allow employers to pass certain costs on to employees. Even in states that allow employers to make these types of deductions, employers have to follow certain rules.

Unpaid Wages: What to Do If an Employer Refuses to Pay You

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.

State Laws on Wage Garnishments

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

Can my employer deduct a previous overpayment from my paycheck?

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

Independent Contractors: Do You Have an Unpaid Wage Claim?

Were you hired as an “independent contractor,” even though you work full time, doing tasks that are essential to the company's services or products?