Do I have any right as an employee to collect on back wages for being under paid?
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Do I have any right as an employee to collect on back wages for being under paid?
I’ve been working for this company for 16yrs. I recently found out through a
reliable source that I wasn’t in the correct job grade I have since moved from
that position and have been in this position since 2012 and I again find out that
I’m not getting the correct pay… What are my rights as an employee?
Asked on November 15, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
You don't have any rights, unfortunately, unless you had a written employment contract setting or guarantying your pay, which contract was violated. Otherwise, without a written contract, your pay is whatever your employer paid you--whether or not it was lower than it "should" have been for your job, your experience, your grade, etc. When there is no contact, there is no right to any particular salary or wage, even if other people in like or similar jobs, grades, etc. are paid more, and your employer can pay you whatever you like.
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