You deserve to be paid for every hour you work—period. When an employer shortchanges you by withholding wages or unpaid overtime, it’s not just frustrating—it’s illegal. Wage theft can take many forms, but no matter how it happens, you have rights. Our attorneys are here to help you stand up for fair pay and hold employers accountable. If you’ve been denied the wages you’ve earned, you may be entitled to recover not only your unpaid wages but additional compensation in the form of liquidated damages.
Our Fairfield County employment attorneys have extensive experience assisting clients with wage and hour disputes. We advocate for our clients as they seek to receive the wages they earned. We also assist clients when they are subjected to employer retaliation for reporting claims for unpaid overtime. Employer retaliation may include wrongful termination, demotions, harassment, and other wrongful acts.
Contact Mitchell, Sheahan & Slippen, P.C. to discuss your situation with a Fairfield County unpaid overtime attorney. We’ll take time to explain your rights and legal options to pursue a claim.
How Mitchell, Sheahan & Slippen, P.C. Can Help You With Unpaid Overtime Claims in Connecticut
Your employer may have a team of attorneys to protect it from employment claims. Hiring an attorney to represent you can even the playing field. Wage and hour disputes are a complicated area of employment law. Our attorneys at Mitchell, Sheahan & Slippen, P.C. can help.
When you hire our award-winning Fairfield County employment lawyers, we will:
- Listen to you as you explain your situation to understand your claim
- Investigate the allegations of unpaid overtime to gather evidence supporting your claim
- Explain your legal rights and the options for pursuing a claim for unpaid overtime
- Negotiate with your employer to reach a favorable settlement
- File complaints with the appropriate government agencies and lawsuits as necessary
- Seek payment of your unpaid overtime and compensation for damages
Our employment lawyers have top ratings with Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Martindale-Hubbell. They have decades of combined experience representing clients in employment law matters and have received numerous awards for their legal services.
Call Mitchell, Sheahan & Slippen, P.C. to schedule a consultation with our Fairfield County employment attorneys. We aggressively pursue wage and hour claims to recover the money our clients deserve.
Overview of Laws Governing Overtime Pay in Connecticut
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law requiring employers to pay employees for all work hours. When an employee works overtime, employers are required to pay overtime pay. Connecticut wage payment laws also require employers to pay overtime pay when an employee works more than 40 hours in a workweek.
The overtime pay rate is one and a half times the regular pay rate. Therefore, suppose you are paid the minimum wage in Connecticut, which is $16.35 per hour as of January 1, 2025. Your overtime pay rate would be $24.53 per hour (rounded up).
Employers may fail to pay an employee overtime pay for many reasons. Common reasons include:
- Failing to pay the required minimum wage, which impacts the calculation of the overtime pay rate
- Not paying employees for work performed off-the-clock, including requiring employees to perform work before or after their shift begins
- Forcing employees to clock out for rest and meal periods, even though the employee continues to work
- Incorrectly calculating the rate for overtime pay or the number of hours of overtime work
- Paying employees straight time for their overtime hours
- Shifting hours to another work week so the employee does not have 40 hours
- Intentionally or unintentionally misclassifying employees as exempt employees, such as giving an employee a job title that does not reflect their actual duties
Has your employer failed to pay your overtime wages? If so, gather documentation of your pay, including copies of pay statements and time cards. Keep a detailed record of the hours you work. Your employer may refuse to give you copies of your pay history. Don’t worry. Just contact an attorney for help.
Are Some Employees Exempt From Overtime Pay in Connecticut?
Some employees are exempt from overtime pay. Exempt employees are usually paid a salary and fall into the categories of executive, administrative, or professional employees. Connecticut law also exempts the following employees from overtime pay:
- Agricultural employees
- Salespeople are primarily engaged in selling automobiles
- Drivers or helpers in jobs where the minimum hours of service or the qualifications for the job are established by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation
- Outside salespersons are defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act
Employers do not need to pay exempt employees overtime pay. However, some employers may misclassify an employee to avoid paying overtime pay. If you believe you have been misclassified or denied overtime pay, contact our office today to discuss a claim with an attorney.
What Damages Can I Receive for an Unpaid Overtime Claim in Fairfield County, CT?
The damages you receive depend on the facts and circumstances of your claim. Federal and Connecticut laws allow you to recover unpaid overtime for up to two years. Federal law allows you to recover unpaid overtime for up to three years if you prove the employer’s actions were willful.
Under federal law, you can recover liquidated damages unless your employer proves they acted in good faith (i.e., the failure to pay overtime was a mistake). Connecticut law requires the employee to prove the employer acted recklessly to receive liquidated damages. Under federal and state law, an employee can recover attorneys’ fees if they successfully prove their claim.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Unpaid Overtime Claims in Connecticut?
Under Connecticut law, most unpaid wage claims must be filed within two years. Federal law also sets a two-year statute of limitations in most cases. However, the employee may have three years if the employer willfully or recklessly disregarded the law. It is vital to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to avoid losing your rights regarding a wage and hour claim.
Schedule a Consultation With Our Fairfield County Employment Attorneys
You deserve to be paid for all the time you work. If you believe your employer has shorted your pay, contact Mitchell, Sheahan & Slippen, P.C. to speak with an attorney. Our experienced employment attorneys handle all types of wage and hour disputes.