As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, work situations have changed, disrupting the lives of everyone around the globe. Millions ofemployees continue to work --- and if you’re one of those who still work in fundamental service roles, your job probably has become a lot more exhausting, more dangerous, and you’re working longer hours than ever. But are you getting paid for what you’re owed?

Every essential worker plays a vital role in keeping society safe during this crisis. Whether you’re a healthcare worker and professional, a police office, a grocery store employee, or a truck driver, as an employee, you deserve immense gratitude for risking the dangers you face every day during these long work shifts - And sadly, not every company is doing their fair share.

Your Employer’s Responsibility for Overtime Pay

Employers are legally bound to pay workers for their overtime in compliance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. All non-exempt workers must earn at least one and a half of their daily salary for all hours worked over 40 hours in one working week, as stated by the Federal Department for Labor. If your employer refuses to pay you overtime, then other workers are presumably also owed overtime pay, which could provide grounds for the court to certify an employment class action case.

What is an Employment Class Action Lawsuit?

An employment class action case is a single lawsuit, brought on behalf of several employees who have similar claims in civil court against a single employer. Damages are sought for the entire group in a single action instead of for individual employees in separate proceedings. Typically, only one person who acts like the “class representative” needs to file a class action lawsuit, and that person can seek to represent all of the other workers “similarly paced,” which may be a current or a former employee.

As a class representative, he or she must act in the best interests of the others with similar situations and must have claims that are indicative of the other workers who are similarly placed.

What are the types of class action lawsuits?

If you think you might be a victim of workplace abuse, in that case, you may not be the only one. It is best to speak to a qualified class action attorney to determine if your case might be suitable for an employment class action.

There are many of the following kinds of claims that can be brought as class actions. These include:

• Unpaid overtime and minimum wages
• Rest break and meal break violations
• Unlawful deductions from wages
• Non-reimbursement of business expenses such as cell phones, gas, mileage, etc.
• Unpaid commission wages
• Equal pay act claims (gender bias and pay parity)

If you think you might be entitled to unpaid overtime during the COVID-19 pandemic, fight for your rights and hire an employment lawyer.

Want to work at the comfort of your home? Read ”10 Ways to Make Money From Home During COVID-19” to learn more.