Guardian Details America’s $50 Billion/Year Wage Theft Problem

June 16, 2023 - Today, the Guardian released an article detailing the growing wage theft epidemic in the United States. The article cites an Economic Policy Institute study estimating that $50 billion is stolen from American workers annually. The article notes that wage theft “disproportionately affects lower-wage workers, women, people of color, and immigrant workers,” and lists the many forms of wage theft, including: not compensating employees for all hours worked, paying less than the minimum wage, failing to pay overtime, misclassifying employees as exempt or independent contractors, not providing required meal breaks, or keeping tips intended for service workers. While the article is focused on the national problem, California has some of the strongest wage theft protections in the country, providing employees enhanced remedies and incentives for bringing their employers’ wage theft to light.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of wage theft, you should contact one of our experienced employment class action attorneys for help at 415-398-0900.