Every year, countless employees fall victim to wage theft, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. From denying overtime pay to paying below minimum wage, these illegal practices disproportionately affect the most vulnerable workers in society.
Despite efforts by the Department of Labor to recover unpaid wages on behalf of employees, a significant amount of this money remains unclaimed.
In a recent report by USA TODAY, it was revealed that an estimated 208,000 workers in the United States are owed millions in back pay from corporations that violated wage laws.
Unclaimed Back Wages: A Concerning Trend
According to the Department of Labor, various industries have a significant number of unclaimed back wages. The food service, healthcare, and construction sectors have been identified as the most affected.
Shockingly, over 36,000 individuals employed in the food service industry are owed back wages, which have already been collected by their employers.
Unfortunately, many workers owed money are from underserved populations, such as:
- young workers
- migrants
- minimum wage earners
Top Companies With Unclaimed Back Wages
Among the companies identified with the highest amount of unclaimed back wages is U.S. Medical Staffing Inc. This company has been paying back wages and damages for several years but still owes over $2.7 million to 1,275 current or former employees.
Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc., the largest hazardous waste disposal company in North America, has over $1.6 million in back pay that it collected from 2,833 current or former employees.
The article also highlights other companies, including the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Alorica, and Stratis Construction Inc., for their involvement in wage theft.
States and the Struggle to Reclaim Wages
The report identifies Texas, California, Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida as the states with the highest number of workers owed back pay. Pennsylvania employers top the list, with over $19 million in unclaimed wages, followed by California, Texas, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
This staggering amount of unclaimed wages raises concerns about the struggles that American workers face in reclaiming what is rightfully theirs.
Looking for Redress
To address this issue, the Labor Department has launched the Workers Owed Wages website, allowing people to check if their current or former employer is listed and see if they are owed money.
Employees who find their employer on the list can search their name and provide documentation to prove their employment. For further information and assistance, individuals are encouraged to reach out to their local Wage and Hour Division office.
Conclusion
Unclaimed back wages remain an ongoing problem, affecting thousands of American workers. The prevalence of wage theft in various industries and the presence of unclaimed funds point to the need for greater awareness and enforcement of labor laws.
Both employees and employers must work together to ensure that workers receive the compensation they have earned. It is only through collective action and commitment to fair labor practices that we can eradicate wage theft and create a more just working environment for all.
For more information about workers' rights and potential back wages, visit the Workers Owed Wages website or contact your local Wage and Hour Division office at 1-866-487-9243.
