If you ask people what type of theft is the most expensive in the United States, they may point to something like robberies. They may mention bank robberies, retail store theft like shoplifting, or even home robberies.
While it is true that these types of theft occur, studies have found that the most common type is actually wage theft. One report claimed that it caused $482 million in losses, outpacing all other types of theft in America. Notably, the report said that this was 100 times more than was lost in robberies on an annual basis.
Forms of wage theft
Part of the issue is that wage theft can take many forms. In some cases, it could involve overtime pay. If an employee is owed time and a half and is simply paid their standard rate, even though they are still getting paid, that is a form of wage theft.
Another example is when an employer keeps tips that were earned by employees. The employer may think that they have a right to do so as the owner of the business, but they are actually stealing wages from their own workers.
You can also find instances of wage theft for those who earn commissions or bonuses. If they are not paid on time in these areas that go outside of their hourly wage or their standard salary, it could be wage theft. This is also true if they are simply paid less than they were promised for that commission or bonus.
What are your options?
Do you believe that you have experienced wage theft, the most common type of theft in the United States? If so, it is important to know what legal options you have, and it can help to work with an experienced attorney.