Wage Theft Far Too Common in the U.S.

[GoLeft TV]

In May, the U.S. economy added 280,000 new jobs, one of the best months we’ve seen for private sector job growth in a long time. But before we get too excited about those numbers, we need to take a look at what is actually going on inside companies these days.

In too many instances, workers are being taken advantage of by their employers. Wage theft is rampant today, and it comes in many different forms – all of them on the wrong side of the law.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

1. It's not new

Thirty-five years ago, I worked for what was then Bell Labs, where we were expected to put in 50-60 hour weeks. We were supposed to be paid overtime for all hours over 40, but getting it was such a hassle that no one bothered. Multiply that by about 20 thousand or so people, and AT&T was making out like bandits on wage theft.

[imthevicar]

2. I was told

Be on call on your days off, (I'm an hourly paid Peon,) I said "what am I to be paid on call?" He said "Nothing, your Wages cover that." I said "No they don't. If I'm on call, I want remuneration." He Fired me, Then lied to unemployment, telling them I refused to carry the company phone while on Duty. I lost the first six weeks Unemployment. They get away with it all the time.