Columbus, OH FLSA Attorneys in Columbus, Ohio

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that establishes basic requirements for employers. Under these regulations, companies must pay their workers a minimum wage, comply with all relevant overtime rules and regulations, and follow record-keeping standards. Unfortunately, in far too many cases, Ohio companies violate the key provisions of the FLSA with respect to many of their employees. That’s why an FLSA collective action claim allows employees to bring legal action on behalf of themselves and similarly situated coworkers.

At Coffman Legal, our FLSA lawyers in Columbus are here to assist you in the event you find yourself on the unfortunate end of not being properly compensated per the Fair Labor Standards Act, as we are committed to holding employers accountable for their violations.

If you or your coworkers are considering pursuing an FLSA collective action claim in central Ohio, you need strong representation. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our Columbus FLSA lawyers for a free, strictly confidential review of your case.

What Is a Collective Action Under the FLSA

In the simplest terms, an FLSA collective action is a legal claim in which employees with similar underlying claims bring one group-based legal action against an employer. Under 29 U.S.C. 216(b), employees may bring a collective action to recover unpaid minimum wages or unpaid overtime wages on behalf of themselves and other similarly situated employees.

When an employer is not properly paying an employee correctly pursuant to the employer’s policy or practice, it is very likely that other employees are also not receiving their full compensation for the same reasons. Under the FLSA, the employee may pursue their claims individually or collectively. All employees who are not being paid properly may recover their unpaid wages, liquidated damages, attorney’s fees, and the costs and expenses of pursuing their FLSA claims.

Your Fair Labor Standards Act Attorneys in Columbus Answer Your FAQs

What protections are provided by the FLSA?

In most cases, the Fair Labor Standards Act requires that all employees who are not otherwise exempt to be paid at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked, as well as time and one-half for all hours worked over 40 hours a week. This amount may differ for each individual, so for more information regarding what exactly your protections entail, feel free to get in touch with our FLSA lawyers in Columbus.

Am I protected by the Fair Labor Standards Act?

Whether or not you’re protected under the FLSA will depend on your exemption status, with nonexempt employees being covered and exempt employees not being covered. To qualify for the exemption, employees must be paid a salary of at least $844 a week (as of October 14, 2024) and meet certain criteria regarding their role. It’s also important to note that a specific job title doesn’t determine whether an individual is exempt or not. Instead, exemption status will be based on a worker’s actual job duties, among other things.

A common issue that can arise with FLSA protection is employee misclassification, which occurs when an employer classifies you as exempt when you’re actually a nonexempt employee. If you’re unsure about your proper classification, consult our Fair Labor Standards Act attorneys, as we will be able to provide you with a detailed understanding of your exemption status.

What types of exemptions are possible under the FLSA?

The three most common exemptions include:

• The Professional Exemption – Doctors, lawyers, CPAs, and others can qualify within this category. Professional employees must primarily perform duties utilizing advanced knowledge which requires the consistent exercise of discretion and judgment.
• The Executive Exemption – Individuals who work in executive or managerial positions may qualify for this exemption. Executive employees must primarily manage and regularly direct the work of two or more full-time employees. They must also have the authority to hire and fire other employees, or their suggestions/recommendations as to such decisions must be given particular weight.
• The Administrative Exemption – This exemption may cover employees who participate in administrative tasks, such as office work directly related to a business’s operations. Importantly, employees must exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance.

Additionally, the FLSA also has several other types of exemptions that do not fall under these three categories, including those for computer-related occupations, outside sales employees, and more. There are many considerations in determining whether you are exempt (or ineligible) from receiving overtime wages or nonexempt (or eligible) and entitled to overtime pay.

What should I do if I think I’m not receiving proper compensation?

If you believe you are not receiving at least minimum wage or overtime compensation for all of your hours worked in a workweek, then you should contact our office to further discuss your rights. As described above, you may have an individual claim under the FLSA, or you may have the option to bring a collective action claim on behalf of all employees who are not being paid in accordance with the law. Wage and hour claims are inherently complex, and there are both advantages and disadvantages to bringing an FLSA collective action claim instead of an individual wage and hour case. What type of action you should take will depend on the specific facts of your case.

Matthew J.P. Coffman is an experienced Ohio FLSA attorney. He is prepared to review the nature of your claim and determine exactly what action you need to take to protect your legal rights and financial interests. Our office provides free consultations to all employees, and we are happy to explain our fee arrangements to you. In addition, we can explain the differences between pursuing your legal claims individually or collectively.

How much time do I have to file an FLSA collective action claim?

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employees only have a limited amount of time to bring a collective action claim. Specifically, any collective action claim must be filed within two years of the date of the alleged violation(s). This deadline can be extended to three years if the employer’s violation of the FLSA is proven to be willful. If you fail to take action before the deadline, you may not be able to recover the compensation that you are owed. To protect your rights under the FLSA, consult our experienced Fair Labor Standards Act attorneys in Columbus as soon as possible. Our lawyers will ensure that all aspects of your FLSA collective action claim are handled properly.

Why Choose Coffman Legal as Your FLSA Lawyer in Columbus

Coffman Legal is a full-service employment law firm. Our top-rated Columbus, Ohio wage and overtime attorneys have extensive experience pursuing individual wage and hour cases and FLSA collective action claims. We have filed several hundred wage and hour lawsuits involving one worker or thousands of workers. If you have questions about the pay you are (or are not) receiving from your employer, then we are here to answer all of your questions. We provide free consultations and will analyze whether you have any claims under the FLSA or Ohio law. During your free, no-obligation consultation, our legal team will take the time to understand your case, explain your rights and options to you, and give you actionable legal guidance.

Additionally, we will provide an overview of your potential recovery and explain how we would proceed in handling your FLSA collective action claim. Our Columbus law firm has a proven record of success in handling Fair Labor Standards Act claims in central Ohio.