Know Your Wage Rights
Understand your pay and protect your income
This guide helps you identify if your pay matches what you were promised and provides a clear path for action if it doesn't.
Promises vs. Reality
A wage promise is the rate your employer committed to when you were hired. A violation happens when your paycheck shows a lower number, missing hours, or unpaid overtime.
It matters because your time is valuable and federal law requires employers to honor their pay agreements.
The Law Is On Your Side
State and federal laws protect workers from wage theft. You have the right to speak up and the right to be paid fairly.
This page provides general information for advocacy and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For case-specific guidance, please consult a qualified professional.
Document Your Wages to Protect Your Rights
Clear records are your strongest tool when speaking to advocates or filing a legal complaint about stolen pay.
Save original job ads and screenshots to prove the exact pay rate you were promised.
Archive all work texts and emails to show a written history of what your employer discussed.
Get your pay agreement in writing whenever you start a role or receive a raise to prevent future confusion.
Keep copies of all schedules and stubs to ensure your check reflects every single hour you worked.
Log dates and times of pay discussions to create a factual timeline of what was said and by whom.
Maintain a personal work diary with daily entries—this serves as vital evidence for legal professionals.