Dock and shipyard workers may be legally entitled to overtime pay under Federal law.
Employees who work at shipyards or city ports—or on tankers, oil rigs or similar locations—are often wrongfully denied overtime wages which they are legally entitled to receive. The employers typically argue that the employees are not entitled to overtime under the “seaman exemption” to the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). However, the employer is not…
Employer’s Authorization Before Working Overtime in Maryland
Maryland overtime attorney Bruce Luchansky answers the question: “Does it matter that I did not obtain my employer’s authorization or prior approval to work overtime?” This question involves one of the many confusing wrinkles of overtime law – and it works in favor of the employee. The answer is NO, it does not matter (for…
How Long Do I Have to File an Overtime Pay Claim?
Maryland employees generally have two years to file a claim for unpaid overtime wages against their employer or former employer. That period can be extended to three years if the employee can prove that the employer’s failure to pay overtime was “willful.” These time frames are very important, particularly for long-time employees who have terminated…
Proving Overtime Calculations
Maryland overtime attorney Bruce Luchansky answers: “How can I prove that my overtime pay calculation is accurate and that I actually worked the hours that I spent working overtime?” It is the employer’s obligation to keep track of an employee’s hours worked, not the employee’s. All employers must implement a system for keeping track of…
Maryland Overtime
Maryland overtime attorney Bruce Luchansky answers: “What is overtime in Maryland?” In Maryland, “overtime” is an employee working more than 40 hours in a single workweek. Contrary to popular belief, working more than 8 hours in one day does not constitute overtime in Maryland. Therefore, if an employee works three 12-hour shifts in a single…
Is there a law that governs the wages and hours in my workplace?
Maryland wage and hour claim attorney Bruce Luchansky answers the question: “Is there a law that governs the wages and hours in my workplace?” There are several important laws that govern the wages and hours that an employer must pay to its employees. Nevertheless, these laws often are violated by employers. For example, employers often…
Filing an Overtime Claim in Maryland
Towson, Maryland overtime claim attorney Bruce Luchansky answers the question: “According to the rules for overtime pay in Maryland, how long do I have to file an overtime pay claim?” Under applicable law, you are able to recover unpaid overtime for a period of 2 years. That period is extended to 3 years if it…
Interrupted Lunch Breaks
Baltimore County, MD employment law attorney Bruce Luchansky answers the question: “My employer gives me a half hour lunch break and deducts a half hour of pay for that time, but I often interrupt my lunch to do work-related things. Should I be paid for that time?” Absolutely. An employer only is allowed to…
Maryland Court Rules in Favor of Personal Liability of Employers for Wage Payment Claims
Imagine the following scenario. You work for a small company, ABC Widgits Corp., where the owner is involved in the day-to-day operations of the Company. She hired you, she established your hourly rate, and she set your schedule. And when she fired you, she refused to pay you your last paycheck, claiming that you don’t…