America’s Most Wanted - “Wage Theft” Edition

We talk a lot about “wage theft” of overtime and minimum wage pay- like here, here, and here. We have written about servers, construction workers and interns who have their money stolen by their employers. However a recent report identified the 12 employers that paid the most in legal disputes over pay for workers since 2000- and some of the biggest thieves might surprise you.

Wal Mart has been public enemy no. 1 racking up $1.4 billion dollars in total penalties and settlements. Fed Ex (headquartered here in Tennessee) has paid $502 million in penalties and settlements over this same time period.

Surprisingly (or maybe not), banks are 3 of the top five wage thieves in America. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and JP Morgan had over 70 cases against them totaling nearly $750 million dollars.

Also, insurance giants State Farm, Zurich, and Allstate each have paid over $100 million in penalties and settlements. The study only looked at class actions for calculating these numbers. While State Farm and Allstate have only had 4 class actions for wage theft over the period, those 4 cases alone total more than $250 million. Other huge employers who have stolen from their employees include AT&T and UPS.

Wage theft is not limited to a certain industries- it is widespread all across the country. If you have been shorted your overtime, you need to hire attorneys who specialize in these types of claims.

Don’t go to a firm who claims you can get a will drafted, take care of a speeding ticket, try to modify your child support payments, and get your overtime money all in one stop. Our law firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of wage theft. Contact us today for a free consultation.