McNamee Hosea News & Press

Back

4 Different Options for Resolving Unpaid Wage Disputes

Unless someone is working in a volunteer capacity, workers expect and deserve to be paid in accordance with state and federal laws. This means they must be paid at least minimum wage in addition to being paid on time and properly compensated for any extra hours worked.

In the event that a worker is not paid appropriately, he or she has the option of taking action against an employer to collect unpaid wages. Many people feel very strongly about how they want to handle this situation: some want to get it resolved quickly and quietly while others want to take the case all the way to a trial. Whatever end of the spectrum you may be on if you are in this situation, you should understand your options.

Generally speaking, there are four ways that employees may pursue remedies for unpaid wages in Maryland.

  1. Send a certified letter. Employees can resolve wage issues fairly easily by sending a certified letter which requires that a recipient -- in this case the employer -- sign it as proof of receipt. The letter should include details of hours worked for which an employee was not properly paid. If an employer has no grounds to argue against the claim, he or she can pay what is owed and the matter can be settled.
  2. Claim a lien on an employer's property. If an employer refuses to pay what an employee is owed in back wages, an employee can file a lien against property owned by the employer.
  3. File a civil claim. Filing a civil claim against an employer can help workers get paid for back wages, in addition to legal fees and other damages if it can be proven in court that the employer unfairly withheld wages.
  4. Pursue criminal charges. In some situations, an employee could choose to file criminal charges if an employer intentionally deprived an employee of wages or engaged in fraud.

Depending on the details of your individual case, any of these options could help you resolve wage disputes in an appropriate manner. Whether the goals of your claim are to settle the matter quickly or to pursue maximum compensation, having an attorney help you understand your options and your rights can be crucial in pursuing a satisfying resolution.