Unpaid Wages Legal Rights

Summary

In Massachusetts, employers are required to pay wages within six days of the end of the pay period. If an employer fails to pay wages, they may be subject to criminal and civil penalties. If an employer doesnt respond or refuses to pay, you can file a wage complaint with the Attorney Generals Office. Independent contractors are also protected under wage and hour laws. If your employer violates the terms of your commission agreement, you can file a wage complaint with the Attorney Generals Office.

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Missing wages
Are you missing wages due to unpaid overtime, or has your employer failed to pay you for regular hours worked?
employer failed to pay for completed work
What state are you located in, ****? This will help me provide the most accurate information regarding wage and hour laws in your area.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, employers are required to pay wages within six days of the end of the pay period. Have you contacted your employer about this issue?
Yes
What was your employer's response when you contacted them about the missing wages?

- In Massachusetts, if an employer fails to pay wages, they may be subject to criminal and civil penalties.
- For legal assistance, you can contact the Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development at *-*-*.
No response
In Massachusetts, if an employer doesn't respond or refuses to pay, you can file a wage complaint with the Attorney General's Office. Would you like assistance with this process?
yes
Great, you can file a wage complaint online through the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office website. Here is the link: www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-wage-complaint.
Even if I was an independent contractor
Yes, in Massachusetts, independent contractors are also protected under wage and hour laws. You can still file a wage complaint.
I was working for a real estate company in Boston for about 6 months before I decided to resign. Upon my resignation I provided my */* deals that were closed that I would need commission for (closed the deals months before but the “company policy” is to hold the commission until the client moves in. September comes around and money is missing from my commission for legal fees and to compensate the other agent who supposedly had to close me deals for me because they weren’t fully finished.
Did you have a written agreement with your employer about the commission structure and the company's policy on withholding commissions?
yes
What does the agreement state about deductions for legal fees and compensating other agents?
the policy does not state anything about fees
What does the policy state about the distribution of commissions?
Agents are due they’re commission upon presenting a willing and able client
What does the agreement state about the timeline for commission payments after a deal is closed?
*-* hours
In Massachusetts, if your employer violates the terms of your commission agreement, you can file a wage complaint with the Attorney General's Office.
Legal advice
What specific legal issue are you facing? This will help me provide you with the most relevant information.
employment wages
What is the specific issue with your employment wages? Are you not being paid the minimum wage or overtime?
missing wages
Are you missing wages from your current employer or a previous one?

In California, employers are required to pay for all hours worked. If not, you can file a wage claim with the California Labor Commissioner's Office.
previous
What is the total amount of wages you believe you are owed from your previous employer?

In California, you can file a wage claim if you haven't been fully paid by your employer.
i don’t not know the exact number
Could you provide an estimate or range of the amount you believe you're owed? This will help determine the potential severity of your claim.
*,*
What is the time frame in which these wages were not paid to you? In California, the statute of limitations for unpaid wages is generally three years.
September
When did you leave your previous job? In California, final wages must be paid within * hours of termination.
i am in Massachusetts
What is the name of your previous employer in California? This will help in providing you with the relevant labor board contact details.
my employer was in Massachusetts
What is the name of your employer in Massachusetts? In Massachusetts, you can file a wage claim with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Fair Labor Division.
marc Roos realty
What is the specific issue with your wages at Marc Roos Realty? In Massachusetts, you can contact the Attorney General's Fair Labor Division at (*) *-* for wage-related issues.
missing comission
What is the commission agreement you had with Marc Roos Realty? In Massachusetts, employers are required to pay all earned commissions. You can file a wage claim with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Fair Labor Division.
commission was to be given when we presented a able willing buyer
What is the total amount of commission you believe you are owed from Marc Roos Realty?
*,*
What is the time frame in which this commission was not paid to you? In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for unpaid wages is generally three years.
1 month
In Massachusetts, if your employer doesn't pay your commission within 30 days, you can file a wage claim. Have you tried contacting your employer about this issue?
yes
What was their response when you contacted them about the missing commission?
no response
What steps have you taken so far to recover your missing commission?
none yet
Have you considered filing a wage claim with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Fair Labor Division? They can assist with unpaid wage issues.
noo
Why haven't you considered filing a wage claim with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Fair Labor Division?