Articles Posted in unpaid wages

A Massachusetts man who was paid after being laid off, will receive even more money because his former employer failed to specify that the extra money was for unpaid vacation days. In Dixon v. City of Malden, Mr. Dixon was dismissed from his role as a director of a nursing home, and at the time…

Some companies classify workers as independent contractors even when the job looks like standard employee work. When firms do this, workers lose wages and benefits that belong to real employees. Now, the rules are clearer and far more protective. Importantly, courts confirm that a worker who should have earned overtime deserves full overtime pay after…

Gordon Law Group, LLP partnered with legal aid groups to secure a major settlement against Michael Bianco, Inc.. The agreement returns unpaid wages and overtime compensation to 764 former workers. The settlement totals $850,000 and covers 764 impacted workers from a New Bedford defense-gear factory. Crucially, 764 former applicants will share back pay, medical costs,…

The Massachusetts Wage Act finally received a major clarification. The amendment started on July 13, 2008. It confirmed that workers can collect triple (treble) damages when companies fail to pay earned wages on time. This applies when employees file lawsuits to recover pay. Additionally, lawmakers reinforced that the Commonwealth will treat wage theft as a…

More than 500 current and former workers from the New Bedford factory Michael Bianco, Inc. filed a federal class action lawsuit. The case alleges wage theft, unpaid overtime, and illegal time deductions. Key Allegations Explained Clearly The lawsuit claims the company built a payroll scheme to avoid paying overtime. Many workers logged a full day…

The First Circuit has ruled that corporate officers may be held personally liable for a corporation’s failure to pay to pay its employees proper wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). While the district courts in the First Circuit have been willing to impose personal liability on corporate officers for years, the First Circuit…

Good news and bad for light-weight vehicle operators. A recent court case from Georgia (Dell’Orfano v. Ikon Office Solutions, Inc.) confirms that truck drivers operating vehicles weighing 10,001 pounds or less in interstate commerce must be paid overtime under the Fair labor Standards Act (FLSA). The first decision since the passage of the 2005 Motor…

The Massachusetts Senate and House have enacted a bi-partisan bill designed to protect workers from unscrupulous employers who withhold wages, salaries and benefits, and protect law-abiding business from the resulting unfair competition. Filed by Senators Cynthia Creem and Steven Tolman, and Representatives Peter Koutoujian and Martin Walsh, the bill (H. 4663) calls for clarification of…

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced the arrest of seven current and former managers of IFCO Systems North America, Inc. (IFCO) as part of a new initiative to crack down on employers of undocumented workers. The arrests were made in connection with the “second phase” of the Secure Border Initiative. Phase…

Who is an employer under the Massachusetts Wage Act? It’s a question we commonly face in representing employees in their disputes with employers over wages. A recent decision has recognized that investors who involve themselves closely in management and decision making – especially a decision not to pay wages – may have personal liability for…